EXPAND ON SUCCESS

The June 25 article, "More medical marijuana use lowers the cost," raises
several relevant points about marijuana. The success of medical marijuana
in Oregon is overwhelming. The fact that about 1,000 Oregon physicians have
recommended marijuana for their patients refutes the federal government's
position that marijuana has no accepted medical use.

The article points out that patients can't buy medical marijuana at
pharmacies but must grow it themselves [or have a caregiver grow it]. This
makes no sense for patients who have debilitating conditions.

Some lucky patients manage to designate a caregiver who can produce
marijuana for them, but most patients must buy from the black market or
just go without the medicine. This policy is cruel.

Has anyone in Salem noticed that Oregon actually makes money from
marijuana? We could go a long way toward solving our budget woes by taxing
and regulating marijuana instead of prohibiting it.

JOHN SAJO

Dillard