ILL CAN LOOK GOOD

I have a comment about Jeff Kearns' concern that people "who appear
to be perfectly healthy (are) obtain(ing) medical marijuana
certificates" (Your Views, Tribune-Herald).

First off, Mr. Kearns should know that some diseases do not radically
alter one's appearance until the very end. Moreover, if a patient is
helped by the marijuana, he/she might get well and never meet Kearns'
"appearance requirements."

In my case, I suffer two potentially fatal diseases that are helped
by marijuana. These illnesses do not alter outward appearance until
the end. In my fortunate case, the marijuana has put my illnesses
into remission and I might just live a normal life span and never
appear outwardly to be sick. Nevertheless, I depend on marijuana to
keep these diseases in check.

Does Mr. Kearns think I should be denied access to medical marijuana
because I do not look sick? Diagnosis based only on appearance is not
recognized as a medical standard by the AMA or any other medical organization.

Floyd Krautner

Bakersfield, Calif.