A rational drug policy

To the editor:

Thanks for the summary on medical marijuana ("Down, but not out:
Ruling against medical pot may help cause," June 23). The apparent
passage of a bill in Rhode Island on the heels of the Supreme Court
decision speaks well for the ultimate triumph of compassion, reason
and the people's voice.

Meanwhile in Texas, a bill failed that would only have allowed a jury
to hear evidence that a defendant was using marijuana for medical purposes.

In a state where some 75 percent of citizens approve of medical use
and government estimates some 80,000 teens sell marijuana to class
mates -- enough for one in every classroom from eighth grade on,
courtesy of prohibition and the illegal drug trade that tempts and
employs the young -- we had better wonder if the fanaticism and
official misinformation displayed regarding medical marijuana has
infected our ability to act rationally on any matter of drug policy.

Jerry Epstein,

Houston