RULING 'REEFER MADNESS'

What's the real impact of state-level medical marijuana laws on
interstate commerce?

Patients with the option of legally obtaining marijuana under a
doctor's recommendation don't rely on the black market. If the federal
government decides to focus federal law enforcement resources on
busting voter-approved medical marijuana suppliers, desperate patients
will turn to street dealers for their medicine. The U.S. Supreme Court
effectively confirmed organized crime's monopoly on marijuana
distribution. International drug cartels are no doubt thrilled.

It's now up to Congress to decide whether to maintain the status quo.
I can only hope the prospect of federal agents arresting cancer and
AIDS patients inspires Congress to pass compassionate-use
legislation.

Reefer madness is a poor excuse for criminalizing healthy citizens who
prefer marijuana to martinis. There is no excuse for prosecuting sick
patients desperate to ease their suffering.

ROBERT SHARPE

Washington, D.C.

The writer is a policy analyst with Common Sense for Drug Policy.