Mr. Pemberton's Dec. 5 article, "Marijuana gives him freedom, takes it
away," revealed the criminal sanctions that seriously ill citizens
must endure due to federal conduct.

But he failed to mention the recent betrayal by our federal servants
when they implemented guidelines which require cannabis researchers to
undergo additional reviews after they achieve FDA approval.

On Dec. 1, the Clinton administration released the new guidelines for
cannabis researchers. On Dec. 6, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services prevented a privately funded, FDA-approved medical
marijuana study from taking place by refusing to provide a legal
source of marijuana to the researcher.

Medical marijuana activist will continue re-educate our fellow
citizens and pass state initiatives until this issue is dealt with
humanely. It is deplorable how many people must needlessly suffer due
to the resistance of our federal government.

Jo-D Harrison Dunbar,
Arroyo Grande