I'M WAITING (IN PAIN) FOR POT TO BE LEGALIZED

As a patient who might benefit from the medical-marijuana bill, I was
shocked by Joyce Nalepka's July 17 Commentary piece, "Don't swallow
drug legalizers' lies."

I am not a "self-absorbed admitted drug-using adult," as Nalepka
described supporters of the bill. I have multiple sclerosis (MS), but
have not tried marijuana to see if it will help alleviate the
stiffness and burning pain in my legs that I experience every day. I
am waiting for it to be legal, so I don't have to break the law and
risk arrest and jail.

I am a registered nurse and understand that there are many
prescription drugs available to treat pain and nausea, but sometimes
they just don't work. I have heard numerous testimonials from people
with cancer, AIDS and MS who finally found relief from their pain and/
or nausea with marijuana, after prescription meds had proved
ineffective or insufficient.

Contrary to Nalepka's claim, the Supreme Court did not "nullify" state
medical-marijuana laws. All 10 remain in full force. But the court,
after reviewing the evidence, did declare, "[M]arijuana does have
valid therapeutic purposes." That's why supporters of the Rhode Island
medical-marijuana bill include the Rhode Island Medical Society, the
Rhode Island State Nurses Association, the United Nurses and Allied
Professionals, and many individual doctors and nurses.

These groups aren't part of some sinister conspiracy to legalize
drugs, and neither am I. We just don't think patients battling
illnesses such as MS, cancer and AIDS should face jail for trying to
live in a little less pain.

Rhonda O'Donnell

Warwick