LOOK TO CANADA

Ellen Goodman's column, "Canada Takes Lead on Marijuana," [Currents &
Books, Aug. 5] accurately described the absurdity of America's
puritanical position on medical marijuana. It makes no sense that any
adult can smoke tobacco and legally obtain marijuana's primary active
ingredient, THC, in a prescription pill, but cannot legally get that
same THC from smoking marijuana, which is cheaper and more effective
for many patients.

A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives that would
allow doctors to prescribe marijuana with the same restrictions and
oversight that now exist for medically approved drugs such as
morphine. The legislation would also allow states to run their
medical marijuana programs without conflicting with federal law.
Anyone who thinks American patients should have the same right to use
medical marijuana that Canadians now have should contact their
representatives and ask them to support this bill.

Phin MacDonald

Medford, Mass.