MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE HURT BY BIAS

It is no wonder that Indiana is considered by the rest of the nation
as a state filled with ignorant citizens when we have Rep. Mark
Souder speaking on our behalf. I am still choking in disbelief about
his ignorance and obvious bias regarding the subject of marijuana,
let alone its medicinal benefits.

Show me one report that substantiates Souders claim that marijuana
use is linked to serious mental health problems, and in teens...
depression, thoughts of suicide and schizophrenia.Not only is this
antiquated thinking, but it is erroneous and prejudicial. As for the
other ailments Souder has associated with marijuana useheart
disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysemaperhaps he is just
referencing smoking in general.

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been gaining
favorable reviews from users and doctors.

Medical doctors are writing the prescriptions for marijuana, not
quacks and shysters.If doctors believe marijuana is an effective
drug for their terminally or seriously ill patients, then they should
be able to prescribe it, and the patients should be able to use it.
Ten states, one-fifth of our nation, have voted to allow its use.

The worst issue, though, is not Souders ignorance, bias or Dragnet
approach to the subject, but it is whether the federal government has
the authority to supersede the statesauthority. In this instance, is
it right for the federal government to spend taxpayersmoney to
arrest and prosecute citizens who have already voted to create laws
to protect themselves against arrest and prosecution?

It is heartbreaking that the controversy, bickering and biases about
medical marijuana have allowed the implications of the law to go
almost unnoticed and uncontested.

LIZA H. OATES

Fort Wayne