Marijuana Policy Project

State Sen. Thomas George's statement that Michigan's medical marijuana ballot proposal is unnecessary, "because we already have medical marijuana in pill form" is incorrect ("Michigan to vote on legalizing marijuana for medical use," April 29).

Marinol, the pill he's referring to, is a synthetic form of THC, one of more than 60 active compounds in marijuana. Like other medications, Marinol doesn't work for everyone. That's why there are many different drugs on the market to treat the same ailment.

Before my wife, Beverly, passed away from ovarian cancer, we tried several medications to relieve the intense nausea brought on by chemotherapy. None of them worked for her. Beverly was particularly sensitive to drugs, including Marinol, which made her hallucinate, even at the lowest dose available. With just two puffs of marijuana, her nausea disappeared. She didn't hallucinate.

Many patients cannot swallow a pill when they are constantly vomiting. If they hold it down, it can take several hours to take effect. Marinol is also expensive.

There is promising research into the therapeutic values of other active components in marijuana. The American College of Physicians strongly supports giving seriously ill patients access to medical marijuana without fear of arrest or jail.

We have an opportunity in Michigan to make sure seriously ill patients can get relief.

Dr. George Wagoner, Manistee