COURAGE

Re: "Dover man arrested at Bush rally fined $400" (C-P, Dec. 10).

Judge Karen Caplan lamented of Jim Miller, "You made things difficult
for the Evesham Police."

That wheelchair he pushed along the street and was arrested for used
to transport an extraordinary woman who spent her dying days educating
others about her medicine. I doubt that was easy.

I'm sad to say I never met that woman, Cheryl Miller, but Jim's
stories about his beautiful wife have moved me to tears and laughter
many times. When Miller speaks about why he and his wife stayed in a
state where her medicine was illegal, I find their courage remarkable.
Cheryl Miller asked if they didn't continue working to make medical
marijuana legal in New Jersey, who would?

With young children depending on me, my own medical necessity for
marijuana drove me from my home in fear. In spite of testifying before
Maryland legislative committees and watching a medical marijuana bill
signed into law last year, I was left with no protection from a raid
of my home and arrest. Unable to summon the courage shown by Cheryl
Miller, I moved my family to Oregon.

I sleep better now knowing state police won't break down my door and
point guns at my kids over my medicine.

Don't patients in New Jersey who need marijuana to treat their
symptoms deserve the same? How many more lives will end with needless
suffering while politicians play games with our health?

ERIN HILDEBRANDT

Lafayette, Ore