RESOLUTION ON MARIJUANA REFLECTS "REEFER MADNESS"

In your Nov. 9 editorial "Pot politics,'' you single out the Clinton
administration as the primary obstacle to the legalization of
medicinal marijuana. What about Congress?

Back in September, the Republican-controlled Congress passed House
Joint Resolution 117 -- a statement to the effect that Congress
believes marijuana to be dangerous and addictive, and that Congress is
unequivocally opposed to the legalization of marijuana for medical
use. HJR 117 is a classic case of "reefer madness.''

Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Fla., who sponsored the resolution, cannot cite
one credible scientific study that proves marijuana is "dangerous and
addictive.'' Neither can area congressmen Sherwood Boehlert, Michael
McNulty and Jerry Solomon, who voted in favor of it. All of these
career politicians have ignored my repeated requests to cite the
evidence they relied upon to substantiate their claim that marijuana
is "dangerous and addictive.'' And that's to be expected, because the
evidence does not exist. The war on marijuana is factually bankrupt
and morally indefensible.

WALTER F. WOUK

President

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Howes Cave

Checked-by: Patrick Henry