RIGHT TO THEIR MEDICINE

Echoing the Trib's common sense editorial ["Marijuana ruling was about
federal law, not Medicine", June 9], it is morally wrong to go after people
who use marijuana for medical purposes, and the people who supply them with
their medicine.

These people need this medicine for health reasons. These are people with
cancer and glaucoma and who are HIV-positive. They may have severe pain,
severe nausea, seizures such as those characteristic of epilepsy, or
persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis.

These people have legal and official medical recommendations under laws
passed by voters in 11 states since 1996.

The marijuana clubs that supply the medicine make sure all recommendations
and papers are legal. They do not sell marijuana on the street.

President Bush has said he wants to increase the fight against marijuana
because it provides money to terrorists. This is untrue in the case of
medical marijuana. It does not pass through terrorist's hands but only to
the patient. Where then is the "interstate commerce" interest claimed by
the feds?

STEPHEN HEATH

Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater, Fla.