Decriminalize marijuana

Re “Pot power play,” Opinion, Aug. 17

As an addiction psychiatrist, I believe a simple solution to the medical marijuana issue specifically and medical drug policy in general would be for the next president to direct the Drug Enforcement Administration, an agency made up of criminal justice personnel, to move all Schedule I drugs (marijuana and others) to Schedule II (available for research and by prescription) and let each state’s healthcare community decide how to regulate each of these substances based on their effects on public health.

For those who doubt this wisdom, the next time you or a loved one becomes ill, call a cop.

Gene Tinelli MD

Jamesville, N.Y.