ADMINISTRATION'S MARIJUANA MESSAGE IS STALE

So, the Bush administration, past masters of cynical manipulation, has
sent one of its drug czar assistants with the same old message (and
still without a shred of verifiable evidence) that marijuana has "no
proven medical value" and can lead to serious mental illness,
depression and suicide.

He also regards the arguments of medical-use proponents as "cynical
and manipulative."

Most astounding of all, he declares that "the FDA and not politicians"
should make determinations for drug use.

Oh yeah? Perhaps he and the FDA can explain why the FDA, under heavy
political pressure from the right, refuses to release the
"morning-after" pill for over-the-counter sales, despite having
approved its safety and effectiveness.

Cynicism, manipulation and hypocrisy indeed!

Edward Parone

Santa Fe