Opinion editor John Webster's weak argument
opposing medical use of marijuana ("Marijuana is just
bad medicine," "From both sides," Dec. 6 ) warns of the
danger of the 400 chemicals in marijuana. Some are
carcinogenic, but this isn't of much concern to people
with terminal illness.

Webster sneers that people might use marijuana for
reduction of stress. For that matter, women right use it
for relief of menstrual cramps and depression. So what?
Is it worse than Prozac?

Webster inadvertently pointed to the influence of
pharmaceutical companies in keeping marijuana illegal.
If a patient can grow a plant in her back yard that relieves
pain and suffering, the big drug-pushing companies could
lose a lucrative market.

The benefits of advanced drugs shouldn't negate the
virtues of home remedies used for centuries. I may not
run out to "peel a cascara tree and chew a fistful of bark,"
but whenever I get a cold, I do make a pot of licorice root
and peppermint tea. This unscientific therapy usually
clears up my sore throat within a day, without my having
to rush to the store to buy a bottle of sugar-enhanced,
artificially colored and flavored cough medicine. Sugar,
even penicillin, often weakens the immune system, as can
marijuana.

Marijuana's medical legitimacy is not new; it was listed
in pharmaceutical catalogs until 1929. The problem is that,
government would have less control if people could
cultivate their own marijuana. But that also is why making
it illegal is hard to enforce without infringing on our basic
liberties.

Let the voters choose their own medicine.

Sara Kendall
Spokane