I am 69 years old, a lesbian and in dire need of medical marijuana for my chronic daily pain due to lupus.

What do the latter two aspects of my life have in common? Both are denied legalization by the U.S. government. Both are in the minority status, with 15 percent of the world’s population being gay. They will always be out-voted by the majority heterosexual community.

Medical marijuana is held hostage by the huge pharmaceutical industry, which also has physicians in their back pockets. When I asked my doctor for a prescription for medical marijuana, he flatly said “no.” Yet, he recommended OxyContin or morphine for my pain. Drugs I refuse to take because of side effects.

Education is a key factor for both areas, however, we all know that one cannot teach old dogs new tricks or, in this case, new ideas.

No one should be forced to live in chronic pain health-wise, or in chronic psychological pain for gays, which is knowing that you are thought less than your heterosexual neighbors.

My personal prediction is that medical marijuana will be legalized by the federal government years ahead of granting equality for the gay and lesbian community.

Rolane I. Caron, South Paris

Editor’s note: Maine passed the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998 by referendum and, this year, marijuana dispensaries have opened in a number of Maine communities. For more information about the process of obtaining medical marijuana, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mmma/index.shtml.