SUPPORT BILL

To The Editor;

Thousands of patients across New York are already using medical marijuana
to treat a serious, debilitating medical condition.

Of course, they do this in secret, fearful that if caught they can be
punished by the state. Unfortunately, current law treats patients who use
marijuana for a legitimate medical need no differently than it treats all
other drug users. What a shameful consequence of the war on drugs. Patients
should not be penalized simply for trying to cope with their illness.

Patients should be treated differently. They should be exempt from criminal
penalties for medical marijuana.

I am glad to report, however, that New York Assemblyman Richard Gottfried
has introduced a bill that will protect medical marijuana patients.

Bill A. 5878 is also sponsored by Assemblymembers Clark, Colman, Dinowitz,
Sullivan E, Brennan, Cook, Davis, Glick, Grannis, Gunther, Hikind, Luster,
Mayersohn, McEneny, Pheffer, and Weisenberg .

I urge all New York residents to contact their state legislators and demand
that this bill be placed prominently on the legislature's agenda. It is
time to protect patients who have a legitimate medical need to use marijuana.

In March 1999, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (
IOM ) released its landmark report on medical marijuana, which found that
marijuana is beneficial in treating a number of serious medical conditions,
including cancer, AIDS, and chronic pain.

Call Senator James Wright, Watertown 315.785.2430 or Albany 518.455.2346.
Call Assembly Member Dierdre Scozzafava, Gouverneur 315.287.2384 or Albany
518.455.5797.Ask them to let you know if they are willing to take action in
accordance with IOM's recommendations and support A. 5878.

17 states introduced medical marijuana laws during 1999-2000 legislation
sessions.

Larry Seguin

Lisbon, New York