LET STATES DECIDE

Letter writer Kenton Henry's comments ("Medical marijuana use is for
states to decide," Viewpoint, July 7) were right on target. President
George Bush and his Office of National Drug Control Policy insist that
marijuana is no more useful than heroin as medicine, despite the
testimonies of several thousand doctors and several hundred thousand
patients in the 11 states which permit patient's legal access to their
medicine. This does nothing but turn otherwise law-abiding medical
patients into criminals.

Patients and doctors have been trying to get Washington to listen.
Their cries are falling on deaf ears clogged by ardent drug-warrior
propaganda.

The federal government told the Supreme Court in Ashcroft vs. Raich
that its prevailing interest in maintaining criminal prohibition of
medical marijuana is a desire to regulate interstate commerce. Yet,
after the ruling, there is absolutely no regulation taking place.

Medical marijuana will remain a multimillion-dollar industry. The
distributors and consumers will remain secret and for the most part
unknown to federal agents.

How is it possible to regulate an industry that is conducted almost
completely in secret and behind closed doors?

STEPHEN HEATH

Public Relations Director

Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater