MARIJUANA LAW LONG OVERDUE

Thanks for publishing the letter from the student as West Junior High School
who questioned why the medical use of marijuana is illegal ("Allow medical
marijuana use," Jan. 25).

Opponents of medical marijuana often claim it sends a mixed message to our
youth, but the letter demonstrates that young people can differentiate
between medical use and drug abuse, unlike state lawmakers. After California
voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996, legalizing medical cannabis, two
subsequent studies found that California teens used marijuana at lower rates
than the national average.

When families are facing serious illness, government should not stand in the
way of legal access to any treatment that can help manage that illness and
improve patients' quality of life. Legal access to medical cannabis also
helps caregivers by helping patients.

Polling has found over 80 percent support among Wisconsinites, yet lawmakers
continue to thumb their noses at sick and dying state residents while
pursuing divisive issues to further their own political goals. It's time for
the legislative leadership to end the eight-year blockade of medical
marijuana legislation and move this legislation swiftly to Gov. Doyle's
desk.

GARY STORCK Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access Madison