Topeka, Kan. (AP) Former Attorney General Robert Stephan says he believes marijuana should be legalized.

Stephan appeared at a news conference today with members of the Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition.

"People who are ill with cancer and undergoing treatment should not suffer alone," said Bob Stephan, former Kansas Attorney General. "Nor should they be denied access to any medical remedy that doctors believe should assist in relieving or suffering."

The group wants legal protection for patients who use marijuana as part of treatment program and for physicians who recommend the drug to patients.

Stephan has been a cancer patient and says no one should go through the pain and suffering.

But Dr. Eric Voth, from Topeka, disagrees.

"There's a lot of things that can be given for pain. Never have I seen any database that would suggest marijuana is better than morphine or other oral narcotics," he said.

Stephan will deliver his message to legislators next year but Dr. Voth isn't sure any action will be taken in 2008 on medical marijuana.

"People who are for legalization by passes the FDA jeopardizes protection creates medicine by popular vote we might as well be a third world county, said Voth.