MARIJUANA RULING SMACKS TERMINALLY ILL

As a practicing nurse for 40 years, and one who has seen much suffering of
dying patients, I am flabbergasted at the recent Supreme Court decision
about the use of medical marijuana ("Court: Let Congress legalize it,"
News; "Patients who use marijuana fear worst if forced to stop," Cover
story, News, Tuesday).

It is amazing that six of nine justices could be so heartless as to
deny the most vulnerable among us -- those dying of diseases such as
cancer and AIDS -- the use of a drug that will ease their pain and
nausea, keep them off hard narcotics and help them continue to
function at a higher level. It is even suggested that the federal
government may prosecute users, the ones who are least able to defend
themselves.

I hope that Congress will have the courage to step up and help this
group of suffering humanity.

Martha A. Thompson

Pensacola, Fla.