OK MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

The recent decision handed down by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
found that although there is not yet a constitutional right to use
medical marijuana, such a right might eventually be recognized as
fundamental. While this provides a glimmer of hope to patients who
might actually live long enough to see our federal government stop
treating sick people like criminals, it does absolutely nothing to
help my mother.

She died several years ago of cancer. We watched helplessly as she
wasted away on the powerful narcotics prescribed to control her pain.
The morphine did kill her pain, but it also killed her appetite. She
hardly ate those last few weeks.

I'm not suggesting that we condone the recreational use of marijuana,
just as I wouldn't suggest that we condone the recreational use of
morphine. I'm not suggesting that every person with a common cold run
out and use marijuana, just as I wouldn't suggest that they use
morphine. I just don't understand how letting people waste away on
powerful narcotics like morphine is better than letting them try
marijuana, especially when current research supports the use of
marijuana as an effective treatment for some.

The Illinois Legislature will soon vote on a bill that would allow
people like my mother to use medical marijuana to help control pain
and stimulate appetite. I hope that they do.

John M. Walker, Buffalo Grove