LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES

To the Editor:

Kudos to Ellen Goodman! (''U.S. paranoia about pot deprives nation of an
effective medicine,'' Aug. 7) Medical marijuana should be legal. I always
hear the phrase, ''If it saves the life of just one person, it's worth it.''

We're wasting millions of dollars trying to make it look like marijuana is
a demonic plague. I don't think the people care anymore, Those who do, will
use. Those who don't, don't even think about it. It doesn't affect them.

If you want to outlaw a plant, outlaw poison ivy. The only things more
irritating are our outdated marijuana laws.

Robert C. Burgeson, Jr., Nashville