MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

Re "Ruling hinders medical pot use," May 15: With this latest brilliantly
unfair ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, not only are seriously ill people
denied the drug that has been proven to help them live healthier lives, but
the will of the people is ignored outright.

On one hand, the federal government denies that marijuana has any medical
import. On the other hand, they refuse to allow research on what has always
been a highly controversial substance that has never been proven to cause
addiction, overdose or short-or long-term medical problems.

The federal government stands firm in its ignorance and prejudice.

- --Emily Roddy, Sacramento

I have read the ruling against the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative
written by Justice Clarence Thomas. It does not outlaw the use of medical
Marijuana; it only holds that there is no medical necessity exception to
the federal Controlled Substances Act prohibition on the distribution of
cannabis.

The ruling is a narrow, legalistic reading of the United States drug war
manifesto, and does nothing to limit the rights of Californians to rule
themselves in regards to marijuana and its appropriate use as a medicine.
Despite the fact that the justices were not swayed by medical necessity or
medical evidence in this case, it does not impact California patients
advised by a physician to try marijuana to treat symptoms.

Even after the ruling, patients are protected by law from prosecution. The
Legislature is considering SB 187 by Sen. John Vasconcellos, and supported
by advocates of Proposition 215, the state attorney general and by
associations representing law enforcement. SB 187 would create a voluntary
registry of patients using marijuana, and should make it easier for cops
and patients to live with the reform mandated by voters.

- --Glenn Backes, Sacramento

Director, Health and Harm Reduction

The Lindesmith Center -- Drug Policy Foundation

"There is no definitive science that the drug works or works better than
conventional legal alternatives." Although repeated like a mantra by the
U.S. government, this statement is simply not true.

The 1998 National Institute on Drug Abuse Medical Marijuana Report, the
Herbal Physician's Desk Reference, and the 1973 Medical Marijuana Papers
all demonstrate marijuana's efficacy, and also show that smoking is often
the most effective method of delivery. Nauseous cancer and AIDS patients
usually cannot hold down a pill long enough for their stomachs to digest them.

Now that the court has further gutted hopes of a medical necessity defense
in federal cases, marijuana must be placed in a less restrictive category
than schedule 1 (no known medical use, illegal to possess). Rep. Barney
Frank has been trying to reschedule it for years.

- --Peter Keyes, Sacramento

The U.S. Supreme Court has now officially lost all credibility.

First, the majority of the justices greatly compromised the integrity of
the court when they ruled to halt the Florida recount. This ruling in
essence declared "every vote does not count". Now they have unanimously
ruled that in federal court, medical necessity of a defendant's marijuana
use cannot be considered as evidence for his or her defense.

The court reached this unanimous decision even though medical doctors and
voters in at least nine states have passed laws to defend
doctor-recommended use of marijuana for patients with serious illnesses.

Justice is supposed to be blind, holding the balance, weighing the
evidence. The U.S. Supreme Court has now become a partisan tool for the
right-wing agenda, turning a deaf ear to science, reason, and your vote.

- --Alan Archuleta, Davis

'Resident Hate-Monger'

The Bee should be ashamed for publishing resident hate-monger Rex Rabin's
May 16 editorial cartoon. His portrayal of U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Clarence Thomas making smart-ass comments about marijuana such as "with its
fruity nose ... hint of wild raspberry" was pathetic and racist.

Why did The Bee single out the African American jurist for ridicule? Thomas
should be honored for his accomplishments not made the butt of a racist,
hate-mongering political cartoonist. The Bee's never-ending hatred of
conservatism knows no bounds of decency.

- --Kirby Vickery, Orangevale