PASS I-148

Governor Martz's recent remarks in opposition to I-148 were
disappointing, to say the least. Allowing suffering patients to use
marijuana illegally isn't about legalizing the drug for everyone. And
to throw in the fact that nearly half of our high schools students
smoke marijuana. The issue there, Judy, is why do they smoke pot? Or,
why do they abuse other substances, for that matter-such as alcohol?
Alcohol and drugs-prescriptive or non-are not in and of themselves
bad. It is what people do with them. Kids who get hooked on alcohol
and drugs have problems, and that is where we need to focus! Let's not
confuse folks over what I-148 is really about.

Okay so it shakes "the foundation of our medical system" to suggest a
natural substance can help ease suffering. Why do you suppose so many
people now use herbs, acupuncture and many other "non-traditional"
modalities? Our great advanced medical sciences have not come up with
every solution. As for synthetic marijuana, I have a sister-in-law who
tried it while battling colon cancer, but it didn't help. Medical
"science" doesn't have all the answers, but those who obtain relief
from marijuana shouldn't be made criminals.

Bill Crivello