THE MEDICAL BENEFITS OF MARIJUANA

I have read the articles in your paper about legalizing pot in one form or
another, and I must say it was good to hear something finally on the
subject. This taboo of don't talk about it, as if all marijuana use would
just disappear, is so dark ages that it saddens me.

Time and time again you hear about the medical benefits of marijuana, yet
still it remains illegal in this state; while at the same time you hear
about the problems with alcohol and tobacco, yet they remain perfectly
legal. This two-faced attitude was formed in the halls of poltiics, not in
the labs of science.

These so-called leaders of ours have been told time and time again
recently, that the state of Massachusetts wants legalization of marijuana
for medical reasons and decriminalization for all other uses, yet still
these authorities hear nothing with their cotton-filled ears. Have they
been hired by the federal government or the people of this state? Do they
even know? I'm tired of hearing about Joe Citizen getting caught drunken
driving for a second time, only to find out later that he's getting his
license back and that he's still drinking.

When I see someone smoking a joint I don't get scared; however, when I see
someone drinking hard liquor, I consider seriously if I should pass their
way. How long shall we deny people their medication because it comes with a
stigma attached? A stigma created in an era when very few knew the benefits
of marijuana?

David W. Newcomb