MEDICAL MARIJUANA UPDATE

Editor, Index-Tribune: This could happen in Sonoma! New York Times
best selling author and publisher Peter McWilliam's was literally
killed by the federal government in the name of war on marijuana.
Peter's book sold over 2 million copies, including: "Getting Over the
Loss of a Loved One;' How to Heal Depression,' "Life 101' and other
best sellers. Peter had cancer and AIDS. In 1997 he financed
professional gardener and cancer patient Todd McCormick to write a
book on various strains of medical marijuana plants for diverse
illnesses. McCormick was arrested in 1997.

The only medicine which prevented Peter from vomiting from his cancer
and AIDS medication was marijuana. In federal court, both he and
Mc-Cormick were forbidden to mention their dire medical conditions.

They were literally defenseless. McCormick pleaded guilty to marijuana
cultivation and was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison.

McWilliams was due to be sentenced in August. He was not allowed to
use his marijuana or even the legal synthetic pot capsule, Marinol.

Just two weeks ago Peter McWilliams was featured for the second time
this year on ABC's 20/20 with John Stossel and Barbara Walters,
titled: "Give Me a Break."

A few days ago his home caught fire. Peter choked to death due to the
lack of pot that kept him from throwing up. He literally drowned in
his own vomit.

Peter McWilliams was a true hero who fought and ultimately gave his
life for what he believed in: the right to heal oneself without
government interference.

May God forgive the federal government for refusing to recognize that
marijuana for some patients is the only medicine that works for them.

David R. Ford