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Letters: For patients seeking marijuana, progress and barriers

I would like to applaud the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for its recent vote approving the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes ("Pa. House votes to legalize medical marijuana," March 17). The bill had languished in committee in previous sessions primarily due to a small but powerful minority that opposed this source of potential relief for thousands of Pennsylvanians in need.

Former Marine Mike Whiter of Philadelphia is one of many veterans using marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Former Marine Mike Whiter of Philadelphia is one of many veterans using marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.Read moreMEL EVANS / Associated Press
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ISSUE | MARIJUANA

Legalization vote mirrors public's will

I would like to applaud the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for its recent vote approving the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes ("Pa. House votes to legalize medical marijuana," March 17). The bill had languished in committee in previous sessions primarily due to a small but powerful minority that opposed this source of potential relief for thousands of Pennsylvanians in need.

When finally allowed to come up for a vote, the bill passed by an overwhelming majority, 149-43, which closely matches the results of a recent Quinnipiac University poll of Pennsylvania residents on the medical marijuana issue. It was refreshing to see the will of the people carried out by our elected officials. This vote truly demonstrated democracy in action.

Jeffrey Fogel, M.D., Ambler, docfog4308@yahoo.com

Obstacles persist for N.J.'s sick, poor

A recent Inquirer article described the high cost of medical marijuana in New Jersey ("New Jersey's medical marijuana prices could be nation's highest," March 18). The average cost of $489 an ounce is indeed exorbitant, denying poor patients a means of treating pain, nausea, and insomnia - just a few of marijuana's remarkable qualities. As a Stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor, I can attest to these benefits personally.

Moreover, New Jersey's marijuana dispensaries charge a $200 fee for every patient and caregiver. No dispensary accepts credit card payments, so patients are forced to carry large sums of cash, making this a crime waiting to happen to the most sick and vulnerable. And there are limited numbers of authorized doctors and dispensaries in the state, which makes obtaining treatment more difficult, especially for the poor.

All in all, New Jersey's medical marijuana program is falling very short of meeting the needs of all its citizens, rich and poor.

Saul Lichtine, Voorhees