Pubdate: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 Source: Great Falls Tribune (MT) Copyright: 2004 Great Falls Tribune Contact: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2502 Author: Kim Thielen-Sayre Cited: Initiative 148 http://www.montanacares.org/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Initiative+148 MIXED MESSAGE Is it just me, or does anyone else find it disturbing that we live in a country that has legalized, and benefited financially from tobacco products that kill hundreds of Americans daily? How can people logically oppose the use of medical marijuana? Yes, it may have similar effects due to the tar content, but it is medically proven that its benefits for those in need far outweigh the risks. We are talking about educated physicians, prescribing this under strict government-imposed guidelines. It's not like people will be able to go to the convenience store and buy a pack of marijuana cigarettes. There is no proven medical benefit to smoking tobacco products, but it happens, legally, every day. How about a smoking tobacco ban, to protect all Americans? It's not a medically controlled substance, yet we are exposed to secondhand smoke continually, much of the time without choice. I've never heard of a physician writing a cigarette prescription to medically benefit his ailing patient. Vote yes on I-148. Kim Thielen-Sayre, Great Falls - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake