Pubdate: Sun, 28 Dec 2003 Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian Contact: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324 Author: Richard Bayer, MD RX FOR MARIJUANA Thank you for your editorial, "Accommodating legal pot" (Dec. 20). We both agree that medical marijuana and any potentially sedating drug raise concerns in the workplace if used improperly. Many good employees require potentially sedating but important medicines such as blood pressure medicine, opioids, antidepressants, insulin or medical marijuana. Urine testing does not test for marijuana-caused impairment at work. It only means marijuana was used in the past few days or weeks. Instead of federally mandated urine testing for a "drug-free workplace," employers and employees should together seek an "impairment-free workplace." If Oregon congressional representatives would initiate efforts to reschedule marijuana so doctors could prescribe it, many concerns could be resolved. RICHARD BAYER, M.D. Southwest Portland - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom