NO FIGHTER FOR CAUSE

The more I study the potential benefits of medical marijuana to relieve
pain, the more disgusted I become with Texas' drug policy.

No Texas legislator is willing to carry the torch for medical marijuana,
and the state legislature has prevented any public initiatives to place
this issue on the ballot. When people are in pain or are terminally ill,
who are we to prevent them access to something that might improve the
quality of their lives?

Who are we to disregard what is going on elsewhere with respect to medical
marijuana? The federal response to medical marijuana is a clear "no."
Unfortunately, Texas' U.S. senators as well as my representative are as
unenlightened as the Clinton administration. They say we will be sending
the wrong message to children. Legislation that helps alleviate suffering
sends the right message to children--that we have a caring and
compassionate society.

STEVE HELMS Southlake