CAMPAIGN 2000: MEDICAL MARIJUANA, LIBERTARIANS

"LEADING" THE PUBLIC

Re: "Medical marijuana: No," Oct. 1 editorial. Your stand on medical
marijuana proves a couple of things:

1. You're on the wrong side of the lost drug war.

2. You're way behind the general feeling of the public.

3. And, to your benefit, this proves that the "liberal" media that the
Republicans constantly complain about, don't have the power to "lead" the
public.

Who cares if marijuana is effective? Hello - these people are dying. If
someone thought smoking Gummi bears could help them, then let them do that!

DIETER ZERRESSEN Denver
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IRRATIONAL LAWMAKERS

The flaws in Amendment 20, be they what they are, are directly related to
the unwillingness of state and federal lawmakers to draft reasonable
medical marijuana legislation on their own. If marijuana circumvents the
normal prescription drug route, it is only because the federal government
has refused to allow widespread testing of the drug and continues its
indefensible Schedule I labeling of cannabis in general.

Sometimes, the public has to draft whatever can work in the short term to
overcome the stubborn and irrational intransigence of those who claim to
lead us. Let's face it, Amendment 20 will win in November, and I will be
proud to vote for it.

A vote against Amendment 20 is a vote for continued unconscionable criminal
prosecution of the sick and dying.

JOHN CORBETT Highlands Ranch
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CONSIDER BENEFITS

The Post's editorial opposing Amendment 20, which would allow individuals
with a debilitating condition to use medical marijuana, fails to mention
two crucial reasons why citizens should support this ballot initiative.

First, many Coloradans already are using medical marijuana. They needlessly
face the threat of arrest and punishment on a regular basis.

Amendment 20 would give them pro tection under state law. As The Post
laments, it is unfortunate that many patients do not have a reliable supply
of medical marijuana and must purchase it on the black market. But until we
solve the supply issue, surely we shouldn't throw sick people in jail,
should we?

Second, the federal government has failed to deal with this issue in a
reasonable manner, despite evidence that marijuana has medical benefits.
That is the main reason this issue is now before the citizens of Colorado.

Despite federal intransigence on this issue, almost 99 percent of marijuana
arrests are made by state and local officials. Therefore, Amendment 20 will
provide effective protection for Colorado patients who need to use medical
marijuana.

Additionally, a registry system maintained by the state health department
will separate patients from recreational users, thus easing the burden on
law enforcement.

RICHARD SCHMITZ Washington, D.C.

The author is director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy
Project.