GOOD IN 'BAD' DRUGS

I wanted to respond to the article in USA Today about former congresswoman.
Geraldine Ferraro's battle with the blood cancer myeloma and how her
doctors believe thalidomide treatments have helped to lengthen her life
("Ferraro's treatment puts thalidomide in spotlight", Life, Wednesday).

The article mentions that because of thalidomide's history of causing birth
defects in children when used by pregnant women, the drug had been taken
off the market.

However, as the story explains, new medical uses were discovered and
thalidomide is once again available.

If potentially dangerous drugs such as thalidomide are acceptable for
medical use, why isn't marijuana legal for patients who can benefit?

Not only has it shown great potential in treating patients with a wide
variety of symptoms, but its safety and efficacy are well established by
thousands of years of human use as well.

Ferraro's former colleagues in the House would serve her and other sick and
dying Americans well by passing HR 1344, the bill sponsored by Rep. Barney
Frank, D-Mass. that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana.

Gary Storck

Madison, Wis.