SALEM -- Legislators got an earful Wednesday from medical marijuana advocates who condemned a proposal to greatly restrict who can legally use the drug to combat illnesses. SALEM -- Legislators got an earful Wednesday from medical marijuana advocates who condemned a proposal to greatly restrict who can legally use the drug to combat illnesses.

It's the second time in recent weeks that the issue has come up, as some lawmakers have made it clear they think too many people are scamming the law that allows use of cannabis to treat some diseases and symptoms.

"I personally think the program is out of control," said Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, sponsor of one of the bills targeting the growth of medical marijuana use. "I know people who just find it a legal way to smoke pot."

Opponents called his proposal "heartless" and said it would subject cancer patients and other sick people who rely on marijuana to arrest and imprisonment.

To take away an effective medical treatment "is simply a cruel task, a cruel thing to do that will only harm someone battling cancer," said Anthony Johnson, spokesman for a coalition of groups that support medical marijuana.

Kruse's proposal, contained in Senate Bill 777, strikes several general illnesses from the list of those for which cannabis can be legally used, including cancer, severe pain, severe nausea and seizures. It replaces them with more specific conditions, such as nausea resulting from chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis.

Kruse said he came up with the list after asking a number of doctors what kind of conditions marijuana is effective against. He said he hears from law enforcement, particularly in southern Oregon, that marijuana use is rampant, partly because of its legal use for medical reasons.

After listening to nearly an hour of testimony against his bill, Kruse said he's willing to be "flexible" and make some changes. He also acknowledged that his bill may not make it far in the Democratically controlled Senate.