MARIJUANA GROUP EXPLOITS THE SICK

I have been lax in replying to pro-drug legalization groups such as
the Drug Policy Alliance, which has an office and staff in Trenton
to lobby legislators and inundate media, including the Your Views
column in the Asbury Park Press, with pro-drug propaganda.
("Medical groups back legal marijuana," May 19.)

Contrary to the DPA statement, the 1999 Institute of Medicine report
that notes marijuana and its cannabinoids have therapeutic potential
says marijuana should not be smoked. A new, safe delivery system
would have to be found for it to have medical value.

The group also cites reports from small, uninformed medical groups
that base their reports on information supplied by the DPA and
written by its members. It cites a poll that it says finds vast
support for medical marijuana, but the group neglects to point out
it put the questions together for the pollsters to reach those conclusions.

Law enforcement, community and school organizations have taken
strong stands against the legislative bills in New Jersey because
they will increase the already incredibly high usage of marijuana.
The DPA should stop preying on sick people to help accomplish its
goal of drug legalization.

Terrence P. Farley

SEASIDE PARK

NEW JERSEY NARCOTICS

TASK FORCE

COMMANDERS ASSOCIATION