Pubdate: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 Source: Dispatch, The (Moline, IL) Copyright: 2010 Moline Dispatch Publishing Company, L.L.C. Contact: http://www.qconline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1306 Author: Dan Linn Referenced: http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php ANOTHER COP PLAYS DOCTOR ON THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE Another cop playing doctor, "Medical marijuana worries QC Enforcement group" (Sept. 1). Cannabis does not have a single documented overdose fatality and would cost significantly less than most pharmaceuticals, however, folks who make their living enforcing cannabis prohibition might lose some funding. People like Chris Endress I guess feel this is a matter of job security so they oppose it. In fact medical cannabis patients would prefer to get their medicine in a safe and legal market rather than turn to illegal drug dealers. Plus, medical cannabis patients are not looking to abuse this program because it is a pilot program lasting only three years, and if there were abuses the program wouldn't be renewed. Thus, it is in the patients' best interest to make sure nobody is abusing this program. Furthermore, those with drug felonies would not be allowed to operate a medical cannabis organization despite what Mr. Endress would have people believe. Also, the legislation has been amended to allow only three mature plants for a two-month supply of medicine. All in all, lawmakers should do what is right and protect medical cannabis patients by passing Senate Bill 1381 in Illinois because it is immoral to continue arresting ill members of our society. Dan Linn, executive director, Illinois Cannabis Patients Assoc. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D