Thank you for publishing columnist Steve Chapman's "From Obama, sanity on marijuana" (Commentary, Oct. 22).  What most people do not know is that cannabis has been shown to reduce the risk for certain cancers and shrink tumors, and evidence from numerous studies has shown that cannabis and its chemical compounds, cannabinoids, induce cell apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

Furthermore cannabis is frequently used in states that permit its medical use to treat the side effects of chemotherapy, and more and more research is revealing the anti-cancer properties of cannabis.

Illinois lawmakers need to pass Senate Bill 1381 and protect patients in Illinois who use cannabis with their doctor's recommendation.

The formal guidelines issued by the Department of Justice should be seen as a sign for states to pass medical cannabis programs as they see fit.

Senate Bill 1381, if passed, would be the most tightly controlled and regulated medical cannabis program in America.

It allows for three mature plants and two ounces of usable cannabis, plus it carries increased penalties for those who break the law under the guise of the medical program.

Politicians need to do what is right and pass this legislation because cancer patients in Illinois should not be criminals for using a doctor-recommended medicine.

          -- Dan Linn, director, Illinois Cannabis Patients Association, Chicago


Source:
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune, October 25, 2009 -
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-1025vplettersbriefs6oct25,0,4779921.story