Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jun 2009
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald (Hilo, HI)
Copyright: 2009 Hawaii Tribune Herald
Contact:  http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/185
Author: Floyd Krautner
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n547/a08.html

ILL CAN LOOK GOOD

I have a comment about Jeff Kearns' concern that people "who appear 
to be perfectly healthy (are) obtain(ing) medical marijuana 
certificates" (Your Views, Tribune-Herald).

First off, Mr. Kearns should know that some diseases do not radically 
alter one's appearance until the very end. Moreover, if a patient is 
helped by the marijuana, he/she might get well and never meet Kearns' 
"appearance requirements."

In my case, I suffer two potentially fatal diseases that are helped 
by marijuana. These illnesses do not alter outward appearance until 
the end. In my fortunate case, the marijuana has put my illnesses 
into remission and I might just live a normal life span and never 
appear outwardly to be sick. Nevertheless, I depend on marijuana to 
keep these diseases in check.

Does Mr. Kearns think I should be denied access to medical marijuana 
because I do not look sick? Diagnosis based only on appearance is not 
recognized as a medical standard by the AMA or any other medical organization.

Floyd Krautner

Bakersfield, Calif.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom