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 more than simply frustrating. To the patient, my inability to
 provide prescriptive access to marijuana could well mean the
 difference between continued vision and unnecessary_ progres-
 sive sight loss ending in blindness.
 _ _ g3. The ethical and moral stress of such a situation is
 not tolerable. As a physician I am trail_ed to provide care,
 and to protect my patients from unnecessary harm°
 84. The law, however, prohibits me from extending care to
 these patients.
 85. As noted above, the law cannot prevent me from at
 least providing patients with an honest and complete assessment
 of their conditions, and of marijuana's effects on their !OP.
 86. Realizing many patients, :_o informed_ will do the
 sane thing and obtain marijuana, illegally, if necessary_ to
 sustain their sight, I take the further precaution of providing
 these patients with a letter.
 87. The purpose of this lette_: is to certify that the
 patient has glaucoma and that, when tested, marijuana proved to
 be helpful in lowering the patient's iOP.
 88. While I am all too aware that such a letter does not
 afford my patients any protection from arrest, it is my hope
 that the letter will quickly indicate to all involved that the
 t individual in question is not just some "pot smoker, _ but is
 using marijuana based on a legitimate medical need.
 89. Practically speaking, I feel that most policemen,
 reading such a letters would think twice before making an
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