PRESCRIBING POT

Portland, Ore. -- Thank you for your editorial "Marijuana by
prescription only."

We in the State of Oregon have a very successful medical marijuana
law.

But ideally the federal government should reschedule marijuana so that
doctors can prescribe it to seriously ill patients.

While debating the medical use of marijuana, Americans must ask what
to do with patients who benefit from marijuana now but must break the
law to use it.

We must end the risk of criminal penalties faced by these seriously
and terminally ill patients in a sensible, regulated way, brokering a
peace of sorts while science continues its investigations.

I support efforts in the State of Illinois to produce a compassionate
medical marijuana law. Patients should not be arrested for using
marijuana as medicine when they and their doctor agree it might help.

Richard Bayer, MD