MARINOL CARRIES MORE RISK THAN MARIJUANA

Loreta Jent's response to my June letter regarding medicinal marijuana
was written with good intentions ("Illinois shouldn't OK medical
marijuana," July 8; "Other drugs carry more danger than marijuana,"
June 12).

She does not want to see our nation fall further into "criminal
behavior, auto accidents, broken families and lost productivity." I
agree. However, I question how she linked marijuana usage to these
problems.

The only criminal behavior connected to marijuana usage is the use of
the illegal drug and the people who deliver it for personal, untaxed
profit. There are no cartels shooting up houses over marijuana. There
are no fathers abusing their wives and children while high on pot.

THC in a worker's system is a leading reason for firing employees --
thereby decreasing lost productivity.

Research shows that while a motorist high on cannabis is impaired, the
danger is no more imminent than a driver with four hours of sleep.

By her logic, the cause of these problems is the main active
ingredient -- THC. She brings up "Marinol" as a reason to not legalize
marijuana, because it's made from cannabis and treats the same
ailments medical marijuana has been proven to treat.

Marinol has caused vomiting, disorientation and seizures in patients.
And in cases of overdose -- which marijuana has never caused --
constipation and hallucinations.

If THC is the cause of "criminal behavior, auto accidents, broken
families and lost productivity," why support a drug that's pure THC
rather than a natural plant which contains far less? And what is to
stop Marinol patients from illegally distributing their medicine, as
people worry about medical marijuana?

Keaton Richard, Bloomington