Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Victor Montori's comments that his patients must choose medications on the basis of "the least painful poison," rather than by the benefit, exposes a plight affecting all patients ("Diabetics face risk on drug choices," News, June 5).

Many patients often begin exploring the medical uses of cannabis to treat the side effects of conventional medications. That's why it's so maddening to hear politicians say things such as, "There are other options," as Rudy Giuliani said recently when asked about medical cannabis for cancer patients.

Dr. Steve Nissen's comments at the Avandia hearing ("This is about patients; it's not about politics.") appropriately sum up what medical cannabis opponents refuse to concede: It's about money. The "poison" is not only painful but profitable, and a portion goes toward funding the sort of candidates, generally Republicans, who spout, "There are other options," while generations of patients are denied a safer, often more effective drug alternative.

Gary Storck, co-founder
Is My Medicine Legal YET?
Madison, Wis.

Newshawk: Is My Medicine Legal YET? www.immly.org
Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jun 2007
Source: USA Today (US)
Page: 10A - lead letter
Copyright: 2007 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact: editor@usatoday.com
Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Gary Storck