THE NEW HEAD OF THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Dear editor,

The new head of the drug enforcement administration says he will
enforce the ban on medical marijuana. He says there is no scientific
evidence of its therapeutic value.

He is either lying or he refuses to read medical reports from the
U.S. government, or other studies from around the world. Are we
supposed be proud to have a head of the DEA who wants to arrest the
sick and dying?

These are the final conclusions from a U.S. National Academy of
Sciences, Institute of Medicine report from March 1999: "Scientific
data indicate the potential therapeutic value of cannabinoid drugs,
primarily THC, for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and
appetite stimulation.

"Except for harms associated with smoking, the adverse effects of
marijuana use are within the range tolerated for other medications."

Canada as of July 30 has a national medical marijuana program. The
European countries do not prosecute their citizens for any kind of
cannabis use.

We are a mean-spirited society. Whatever happened to compassion? I
guess it's time to go to Canada.

(s)Rich Rytter

Pinos Altos