STOLEN POT

EDITOR: False information regarding medical marijuana must stop. One
example: National newspapers, radio, TV, magazines and the Internet have
reported that in September 1999, Robert Darkened of Fair Oaks became the
first person known to be reimbursed for stolen medical marijuana through
household insurance. I reported mine stolen to the Sonoma Police Department
and my insurance agent on Sept. 8, 1997 (and was paid).

In May, the Supreme Court parroted federal law and ruled in an 8-0
decision, that there can be no "medical necessity" defense against federal
law. Now insurance companies are using that as political umbrella, not
legal precedent. Medical marijuana in nine states is legal and should be
covered.

The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act only banned "the non-medical" use of the herb.
The federal government has lied for more than 60 years regarding the
dangers of marijuana. Every national and international study for more than
100 years has found marijuana not to be a dangerous drug. It was used in
China for more than 5,000 years for appetite, nausea, muscle spasms, PMS,
vomiting, chronic pain and more. It is used for the same illnesses, and
more, today.

Medical marijuana will remain federally illegal until our coin-operated
politicians stop accepting money from corporations that do not want the
competition of an herb that cannot be patented.

David R. Ford, Sonoma