PATAKI IS WRONG ON LEGALIZING POT

Gov. George Pataki shows a classic lack of political courage in
passing off the medical marijuana issue to the New York State
Department of Health ["Push for legalized pot," News, May 11]. And
health department spokesman Bill Van Slyke's comment, "We remain
skeptical of the use of medical marijuana, but we continue to monitor
the issue," is a slap in the face to every New Yorker who has ever
faced serious illness.

I'll bet Pataki or Van Slyke wouldn't be standing in the way of this
legislation if they or a family member was facing what Montel Williams
and millions of other Americans are facing.

Because cowardly politicians like Pataki are "skeptical," good people
are hurting. If Pataki and Van Slyke really cared about the health of
New York citizens, they'd be pushing this bill through the
legislature. Instead, they are turning sick and dying New Yorkers and
their families into criminals for wanting to live.

Gary Storck

Madison, Wis.

Editor's note: The writer is co-founder of Is My Medicine Legal YET?
and the Multiple Sclerosis Patients Union.