MARIJUANA EASES SUFFERING

Vote yes for compassion. Vote yes on Initiated Measure
13.

I was proud to sign the petition that circulated last year to place
medical marijuana on the November ballot in South Dakota. Recently, I
learned the group behind the petition, the Coalition for Compassion
spearheaded by the former chairman of the South Dakota Multiple
Sclerosis Society, collected twice as many signatures as was required
for getting the measure on the ballot. I only can hope this is a true
testament to the growth of support for patients' rights in South Dakota.

I was not always a supporter of medical marijuana, but then I met a
friend who told me her mother used medical marijuana to help her get
through chemotherapy, and thankfully because of the medicine (which
her doctor recommended), the mother gained weight and strength and
improved her overall quality of life.

Medical marijuana is not only medicine. It is therapy that is
prolonging and saving lives.

Voters must not dismiss this is as a dubious issue. The coalition
behind this measure is united by compassion, as most of the volunteers
became involved because of knowing a loved one who suffered and gained
relief from medical marijuana.

Initiated Measure 13 is a sensible law that will protect patients and
bring relief for their families.

Jeremy W. Gayken

Sioux Falls