MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A COMPASSION ISSUE

The compassionate use of medical marijuana bill, Senate Bill 1381, has
gone to the Illinois House after making it through the Senate. I know
that marijuana in any form is not a popular topic for politicians, but
it is our elected representatives' duty to pass this bill.

There has been a propaganda war against marijuana for 70-plus years
now and the mindless population has eaten up every false fact to date.
Finally, people are beginning to realize the benefits of this plant
and how it can positively affect patients with debilitating symptoms,
including nausea, appetite loss and severe pain. It has been shown to
increase the chances that HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C patients will stay
on life-saving medications.

Numerous prestigious medical organizations have seen these positive
effects and support legal medical marijuana access for the seriously
ill, including the American Public Health Association, the American
Nurses Association, the Illinois Nurses Association, the AIDS
Foundation of Chicago, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Seriously ill patients should not have to fear punishment for using a
natural plant to ease their pain and make their lives a little more
bearable. This is not a partisan issue; it is a compassion issue and
our Illinois representatives need to realize this and pass SB1381. The
general public should also read the bill and support it by reaching
out to their representatives and letting them know that they support
this program.

Sean Hoffman

Williamsville