REASONS FOR LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Editor:

Andrew Wachtel, in his Feb. 16 letter, "Canada isn't the paradise writer
believes," made some comments about Canada's health care system that beg a
response. The fact is that seriously ill Canadians who do not respond to
conventional medications and treatments have legal access to medical
marijuana, something that our government refuses to even recognize, even
where states have legalized this option.

Furthermore, within the year, Canadians will also have access to a
sublingual spray made from compounds found in whole marijuana that has been
developed by GW Pharmaceuticals that has shown results some British chronic
pain and multiple sclerosis sufferers term "miraculous." Americans will not
have access to this medicine for five years or longer.

Meanwhile, more than 40 million Americans lack even basic health insurance.
Sick, disabled and dying Americans deserve the right to life with dignity,
not arrest and jail for using a God-given non-toxic herb. The medicinal use
of marijuana can help restore patient's dignity and a little quality of
life. Please contact your state and federal representatives and ask them to
pass medical marijuana legislation so we have every option available to
treat illness, just like our Canadian neighbors.

Gary Storck

Madison