MARIJUANA SALES

Re "Firm Loses Appeal to Sell Marijuana," July 16

This article contains a wonderful quote from Judge William Peck that
perfectly sums up the entire issue of drug use and freedom:

"Any financial harm [Rainbow Country marijuana seller Andrea Nagy] may
suffer is outweighed by the concerns of the state in protecting its
citizens from alleged illegal drug sales," said the Court of Appeals decision.

What concern is it of the state that some individuals choose to use
marijuana to "harm" themselves rather than alcohol or tobacco? The above
quote is followed by another wonderment of doublespeak:

"But the injunction issued in the March decision does not inhibit the
lawful medicinal use of marijuana by legitimate patients, the appeals court
found."

Excuse me while I wipe the laughter tears from my eyes. I can laugh because
I do not suffer from any of the many maladies whose painful symptoms are
often relieved by ingestion of marijuana.

GERALD M. SUTLIFF, Emeryville