How to write a letter to the editor

Letters to the editor (LTEs) are short pieces (150-300 words) written by community members and published in newspapers and other publications. They give writers a platform to share their thoughts on important issues and are often more persuasive when they are personal. The editorial staff decides which LTEs to publish, but it is helpful to consider all members of the community as the audience. 

An LTE about medical cannabis may be more likely to be published if it references a recent story on the topic.

Use your own words and focus on a few key points when writing your letter. It's usually more effective to cover fewer issues in greater depth.​

If you or a loved one could benefit from medical cannabis, share your personal story and need for this treatment option in your letter. You may also want to mention if other medications have not worked or have had negative side effects.​

Talking points:

• The Kentucky State Senate should show compassion for suffering patients by enacting a medical cannabis law this year.

 

• Patients and their doctors should be trusted to decide if medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment, just as they are allowed to do for far more dangerous drugs, such as opiates.

 

• Thirty-seven states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, have enacted compassionate medical cannabis programs.

 

• Studies show that many patients suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, and intractable pain find relief from cannabis.

 

• Research shows intractable pain patients enrolled in medical cannabis programs can reduce or eliminate their need for opiate-based medications, which are far more dangerous. Pain patients should be allowed to make the safer choice.

 

• More than seventy percent of Americans live in one of the 37 states that allow the doctor-advised, medical use of cannabis. Kentucky patients and doctors deserve the same medical freedom.

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• Several health, medical, and religious organizations support allowing medical cannabis, such as the American Nurses Association, the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the Epilepsy Foundation, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church.

Submit letters to local or statewide newspapers. You can often find submission forms on the website under "submission forms" or "contact us." Some options for where to submit letters include:
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• The Courier-Journal
• Lexington Herald-Leader
• Paducah Sun
• Bowling Green Daily News
• Owensboro Messenger Inquirer
• Ashland Daily Independent
• The Advocate-Messenger
• Commonwealth Journal
• Kentucky New Era
• LEO Weekly
• Your local paper

Need help? If you have a personal connection to the issue and you need help writing an LTE, let us know by emailing info@kynorml.org.