NONSMOKER WILL VOTE TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA

With all due respect to Ted Robinson (Community Voices, July 15), I
would disagree with his assertion that "there is nothing medical about
marijuana." A good friend of mine, suffering with terminal cancer,
told me of the relief he found in smoking marijuana.

The pills prescribed by his doctor (costing $35 each) did little or
nothing to alleviate his pain and suffering. The "weed," as Mr.
Johnson derisively calls it, was a much less expensive and more
effective treatment.

As for adverse effects, I can assure you that my friend couldn't care
less at that stage of his illness, nor would I if I were in his shoes.

Mr. Robinson asks, "Would we legalize cigarettes now, knowing the
personal adverse consequences?" I would hope so, and would speculate
that if cigarettes were prohibited like marijuana, we would be
witnessing drive-by shootings for Marlboros.

We should learn the lessons of the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act
and cease all useless prohibitions that do more damage than the
supposed ill they seek to eradicate.

I don't smoke anything, but I'll be voting to decriminalize the
harmless herb.

John Musser

Vista