MEDICAL MARIJUANA USEFUL TO THOSE WITH PHYSICAL ILLNESSES

We read recently a claim medical marijuana is a farce and may have
contributed to Scott Thorpe's actions on Jan. 10, 2001.

I am a current medical cannabis user who is "critically ill," not "mentally
ill." There is a big difference between the two. When I think of critically
ill, I think of those with AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, fibromyalgia,
alcoholism, and chronic pain.

I agree that the "mentally ill" should be observed very carefully before
prescribing any medication. Almost any medication or drug of choice may
have adverse affects. Sometimes, a mentally ill client is prescribed a
medication for their condition. If a mentally ill client decides to stop
taking their medication, it too could lead to devastating consequences. If
one remembers accurately, Mr. Thorpe was paranoid because of government
conspiracies. He thought his food, medicine and medical marijuana was being
poisoned. The local investigators even found his medical cannabis with a
label which read, "poisoned by the government." I doubt he even took the
cannabis. In fact, I doubt he was on any medication.

Perhaps our county holding gun shows which Scott Thorpe loved could have
contributed to his acts of violence. Even the Wilcoxes stated an opinion
about gun shows. But, just as the state of California recognizes the right
to bear arms (Second Amendment), it also recognizes medical cannabis as
extremely beneficial to the critically ill. Even Attorney General Bill
Lockyer, stood up for the voters of California in regards the benefits of
medical cannabis.

Almost anything could have "adverse reactions." Even making judgments can
have an adverse reaction. Please don't judge the benefits or adverse
reaction of any drug or medication until you, yourself, have either
experienced it or have further expanded your mind due to further research.

Nadia Littlewing

Nevada City