MEDICAL POT

Initiative 148 would allow for the "medical" use of marijuana in
Montana. It provides a ray of hope and an element of humanism for
Montanans suffering from serious illnesses. My brother, now deceased
from Hodgkin's' disease, used marijuana to obtain relief from
post-chemotherapy nausea and lack of appetite. Another friend with
multiple sclerosis finds relief from painful muscle spasms. Neither of
these individuals fits the mold of a "drug user." They are examples of
why Montana needs to get on board with medicinal use of marijuana.

As a former drug treatment counselor, it bothers me to hear some
professionals suggest we shouldn't allow the use of marijuana because
it's an illicit drug, or because it's a step backwards in our "war on
drugs." Better we should spend our time addressing the serious
problems we face with more dangerous drugs like methamphetamine.

We have numerous "dangerous" prescriptive drugs that are specially
classified and controlled, for specific uses, and there's no reason
not to allow marijuana use for those for whom research has shown it
helps provide relief. I hope Montanans will do the right thing, and
say "yes" to those with major illnesses, who could obtain relief by
passage of I-148.

Bill Crivello