LET PATIENTS EASE PAIN WITH POT

We at the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care are disappointed that
the Detroit Free Press has recommended voting against our proposal to amend
the city code to allow a medical exception to marijuana possession
ordinances ("Pot Proposal: Medical marijuana ballot item is flawed," July 23).

The fear that the words "licensed medical professional" will be
legally construed to include professions that have no
prescription-writing authority (such as social workers) or that do not
extend to the treatment of human beings (such as veterinarians) is
unrealistic. Michigan law does not allow licensed medical
professionals to practice outside of their area. Proposal M will not
change that.

It is heartless, if not downright cruel, to deny patients with painful
or chronic conditions such as MS or glaucoma, as well as those
enduring the debilitating nausea associated with chemotherapy
treatment for cancer or AIDS, this inexpensive and exceptionally mild
analgesic.

We hope the voters of Detroit will not continue to deny patients this
safe and effective medicine merely because of a hypothetical problem
that strains common sense and proper legal analysis.

Tim Beck

Chair, Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care