MARIJUANA DEBATE: PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MEDICINAL USE

John Kojis wrote an incredibly interesting letter to the editor
published August 24. First, he lined up what he thought were his best
arguments against medical marijuana. Then he summed it all up by
shooting himself in the foot, which I hope will not be severe enough
to require medical marijuana for the pain.

Let's start with the foot shooting. John states "I don't believe the
overwhelming population supports legalized marijuana use for medical
purposes. If they do, then I will accept the general populations'
decision to change the law. But, until that time, I do not support
it."

All I can say is, thanks for your support John. Perhaps next time you
should take the fifteen minutes needed to access the information you
say you need to form an opinion. I did just that before writing this.
It turns out that the American population actually does overwhelmingly
support medical marijuana. Thanks for adding your endorsement to the
80 percent of Americans that a Time/CNN poll says support the medical
use of marijuana, not to mention dozens of other polls with similar
results.

Now if Mr. Kojis could get the Wisconsin State Assembly to operate on
his principles, and acting in accordance with the will of the
overwhelming majority, Assemblyman Greg Underheim's upcoming medical
marijuana bill will have a chance.

Mr. Kojis opines "Why do sick people who use marijuana lose their
insurance?" The real concern should be, why do sick people who are not
allowed to uses marijuana lose their lives? That is the concern of
Assemblyman Underheim. As the Chairman of the Assembly Health
Committee, he just might be able to see his his medical marijuana bill
become law next year with the support of 80 percent of the people of
Wisconsin, and of course John Kojis. If that happens, not only will
the will of the overwhelming majority be heeded, seriously ill
Wisconsin residents will no longer be dying in unnecessary pain. I'm
sure they and their loved ones will also thank you for your support
John.

Jim Miller

cofounder of the Multiple Sclerosis Patients Union,
www.drugsense.org/mspu

Toms River, N.J.