TIES PROMPT BUSH TO SILENCE SCIENCE

The Republican-controlled Congress is not about to allow scientists to
establish whether compassionate use of marijuana is a good idea ("Set rules
on medical marijuana," Editorial, June 7).

If scientists concluded that marijuana has legitimate medical applications,
the Bush administration (and Sen. Bill Frist) would have to dismiss it as
"junk science," since it would undermine their relationship with a major
contributor --- the pharmaceuticals industry.

Can you imagine the anguish at Merck, SmithKline et al. if suffering cancer
victims could grow their own palliatives?

HARRIS GREEN, Big Canoe