LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Associated Press article regarding medical marijuana attracting
crime should not be a reason to continue arresting these patients in
Illinois. Currently, patients in Illinois are forced to turn to the
criminal market to access their medicine and still are subject to
being arrested and locked up for trying to treat their medical
condition. It is tragic that a medicine that some people use in 14
other states will land sick folks in the slammer in Illinois.

In fact, studies by Denver, Colo., police have shown that banks and
liquor stores get robbed at higher rates than medical marijuana
dispensaries there. Pharmacies get robbed at exactly the same rate as
marijuana dispensaries. But no one is suggesting we close down
pharmacies, because sick people need them. The same is true for
medical marijuana compassion centers- they're needed by seriously ill
people whose doctors recommend they use marijuana as a medicine.

Senate Bill 1381 passed the Illinois Senate last year and now is
poised for a vote from Illinois state representatives. Illinois
residents who could benefit from safe and legal access to medical
marijuana are not criminals, and the law should reflect that.

Dan Linn

Sycamore