GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO USE ASSET FORFEITURE

While the federal government continues to use asset forfeiture as well
as DEA raids to attack medical marijuana providers, it has become
increasingly clear that the current draconian federal ban on medical
use of marijuana has lost all credibility ("A budding rebellion," March 10).

While the government adamantly insists that marijuana has no medical
value, on Feb. 14 the 124,000-member American College of Physicians
called on the federal government to reclassify marijuana, stating
specifically that the scientific evidence "supports the use of medical
marijuana in certain conditions." ACP added pointedly, "A clear
discord exists between the scientific community and federal legal and
regulatory agencies over the medicinal value of marijuana."

This landmark statement is particularly important because both
potential Democratic presidential nominees have indicated in response
to voter questions that they would end federal attacks on medical
marijuana activities in states such as California where they are
permitted under state law. There is good reason to hope that 2009 will
be the year that federal policy on medical marijuana finally ceases to
be stuck in 1937 and enters the 21st century.

Bruce Mirken,

Washington, D.C.