APPROVE MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA

This is a letter in support of Larry Evans' column ["Replace tobacco with
pot," March 30]. I agree with his opinion--the government needs to become
more enlightened in their thinking regarding the issue of marijuana's use
for medicinal purposes.

Not only could the government make money from this venture but farmers
could sustain their families and farms with some of the profit. Currently,
pharmaceutical companies pocket all the profit.

Why does the government insist on denying severely ill people access to an
herb that can alleviate their pain and suffering? The "War on Drugs" has
blocked compassion and empathy for humankind. This issue belongs in
patient-physician discussions.

Ellen Herndon Atkins,

Mineral