MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Thank you for your recent editorial denunciation of federal policies
that support the arrest and prosecution of medical marijuana patients.
If our Supreme Court does not have the courage to do something about
the federal assault on states' medical marijuana laws, then it's up to
Congress. Patients and doctors have been trying to get Washington to
listen. Their cries are falling on deaf ears.

The federal government told the Supreme Court that its prevailing
interest in maintaining criminal prohibition of medical marijuana is
its 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 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

Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater, Fla.