PENDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) began its medicinal marijuana hearings on
December 14-16 in Irvine, California. The IOM is gathering information for
the $1 million report commissioned by the Clinton administration's drug
czar. No new research into marijuana's medical uses is being conducted,
however -- the report will simply compile existing data.

This $1 million "book report" is part of the federal government's plan to
convince the public that the medicinal marijuana issue should be handled by
scientists, not voters or legislators.

Too late: In 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act which
declared that marijuana has "no currently accepted medical use." That was
politics. Patients should not be forced to suffer or live in fear of arrest
for decades until scientists rectify a problem that Congress created.

Right now, even if a state allows patients to use marijuana, patients still
face federal penalties -- up to one year in prison for simple possession.
Furthermore, federal law prohibits states from allowing pharmacies to
distribute marijuana under any circumstances.

Fortunately, there is a bill pending in Congress (H.R. 1782) that would
allow states to create their own medicinal marijuana policies. If a state
wanted to allow patients to use medicinal marijuana, the federal government
would not interfere with the system that the state chose to implement.

There is an easy way to help patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma,
AIDS, and multiple sclerosis: Write to your U.S. representative and ask him
or her to support H.R. 1782.

Sincerely,
Kevin S. Fansler
Havre de Grace, MD 21078