OVER MY HEAD

Darrell Putman's way of dealing with impending death could be turned into a
means of living longer for other people. At the very least, the Frederick
native hoped to make the final days more comfortable for cancer victims
after him.

As documented in the space above this column: The retired Green Beret
lieutenant colonel "was a man with solid conservative credentials who
discovered late the benefits of marijuana's medical use and found the
energy to fight for its legalization."

The editorial then came to a conclusion that may have startled Maryland
conservatives: it certainly did not please Washington's chief liberal:

"Maybe a change in how we view medical uses of marijuana will be the
heritage of this man of many accomplishments."

New Market Del. David Brinkley, a rock-rib Republican, has joined Baltimore
County Democrat Donald Murphy to give reality to the last public bequest of
the gentleman whose Sundance Carriage Company once gave so much pleasure to
tourists and local residents alike.

To the end, Lt. Col. Putman struggled to make it easier for patients to
have cannabis placed on the list of legally condoned narcotics that
physicians may presently prescribe: some far more dangerous and potentially
addictive than the "grass" of hippie fame.

There's the rub. Marijuana's association with America's counterculture has
made the weed, by whatever name, symbolic of rejection of authority,
therefore politically anathema to the nation's professional patriots.

A federal program that permitted its "compassionate use" was junked in a
burst of demagogic posturing by the same Congress notorious for promoting
alcohol, a drug with a record of far greater deadliness and financial cost.

Ironically, the terminally ill may drink liquor until it pours out their
ears; if caught smoking marijuana, however, they and their families remain
subject to the same harsh laws that overload our jails with other petty
offenders.

Even the best of booze cannot provide the genuine help one Frederick mother
described in a letter to the editor: "... I saw first hand," Pat Skidmore
wrote, "how marijuana relieved my son's nausea, vomiting and anorexia,
allowing him to be more comfortable."

Nearly seven years after her child's death, Ms. Skidmore affirmed: "I
continue to hold angry feelings toward the 'do gooders' in our political
and legal systems who continue to block the legalization of marijuana ...
which can bring relief to those suffering not only from AIDS (her son's
killer), but multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, side effects of cancer therapy,
spasticity, chronic pain, etc."

Leading the "do gooders," the Oval Office phoned Mr. Murphy to express
presidential displeasure with the proposed bill, prompting the Maryland
legislator to remind his fellow Democrat their party's leader had no room
to chide anyone else for using marijuana.

Pointing directly to Bill Clinton's admission he had tentatively sampled
the drug, in university, according to Mr. Brinkley, his Baltimore County
colleague informed the young woman from the White House: "Tell the
president, breathing in makes a difference."

As for the New Market delegate, his own bout with Hodgkin's lymphoma ten
years ago provided a painful insight into the condition that afflicted Mr.
Putman.

"I was lucky," Mr. Brinkley told me, "my cancer was knocked out with
radiation." He also believes his youth helped him to fight cancer. He was
only 29 when given the Hodgkin's diagnosis.

Chemotherapy provokes the worst reactions, the Frederick delegate said,
rendering completely ineffective available drugs, which prompted his
support for Mr. Murphy's proposed measure:

"As a cancer survivor it is something I think would be very important for
clients undergoing debilitating treatments that prevent them from eating."

If marijuana enables patients to eat, by simple logic, it makes them more
receptive to therapy and therefore prolongs their lives.

As the father of a child hit with cancer at an early age (27), I'm with Mr.
Brinkley. My son was also "lucky." Michael Meachum's treatments brought
severe discomfort, some pain and cost his hair, which, in any event, grew
back. He serves currently as a paramedic, entering his 12th year in the
District's emergency services.

From where I sit, Ms. Skidmore has every right to her anger. But for God's
grace, we could have been in her family's position. She tolerates much
better than I ever could those mealy mouth hypocrites in Washington and
Annapolis.

Mr. Murphy informed this paper's Susan Nicol calls from well- intentioned
colleagues warned he was committing electoral suicide. His answer to the
White House sums up his political courage: "I told them they were more than
welcome to come testify against (the bill)."

Initial reactions reaching Mr. Brinkley were not nearly as negative. The
delegation's new chairwoman, fellow Republican Louise Snodgrass, told the
News-Post she favors the concept but wants to study the specific language
written in.

Ironically, his strongest early critic proved a local Democrat.
Ex-candidate Val Hertges appearing on a cable talk show, allowed as how the
absence of long-term studies made it impossible for her to give approval.

When reminded most medicinal marijuana use was by patients already
diagnosed terminal, which made "long term" a virtually impossibility, Mr.
Brinkley reported the lady responded with silence.

And so it goes.

Out of fear, about either what other folks might say or for their own
political careers, there are those prepared to deprive suffering human
beings of one more option available to make their last days more
comfortable, at least.

I don't get it.