URGE LAWMAKERS TO OK MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Scott Carriere ("Doesn't like asking sheriff for medicine," Wednesday)
should be asking his state legislators and the governor for his
medicine, not the sheriff or FBI.

State representatives need to hear from their constituents and how
much support there is for medical cannabis in Illinois so that
lawmakers will not be afraid to vote in favor of Senate Bill 1381 or
House Bill 2514 next spring. A 2008 Mason-Dixon poll found that 68
percent of Illinois residents support "allowing seriously and
terminally ill patients to use and grow medical marijuana for personal
use if their doctors recommend it."

While the law enforcement lobby has stood in the way of our medical
cannabis legislation, the current amendments to this bill would make
it the most regulated and restricted medical cannabis program in the
nation, if it passes. Unfortunately, lawmakers feel a vote for medical
cannabis is a political liability, as members from both sides of the
aisle have expressed fears of attack ads in upcoming campaigns if they
voted in favor of protecting sick people.

We need our leaders to stand up for what is right and protect these
patients, but all supporters of medical cannabis should be letting
their elected officials know that a vote for medical cannabis is a
safe vote.

Dan Linn

Executive director

Illinois Cannabis Patients Association

Chicago