CRACKDOWN ON DRUG THAT KILLS VERY FEW

State laws that allow marijuana to be used for medical purposes should
be overturned, White House lawyers argued before the Supreme Court
("Justices skeptical over patients' use," Nov. 30). This provides a
revealing glimpse at the administration's values and priorities.

Marijuana kills few, if any, users, and may be effective in relieving
pain and other distress, as many victims of disease contend.
Cigarettes kill about 440,000 Americans a year.

Yet the administration takes a hard line against pot and other illegal
drugs but has opposed measures that could have sharply reduced tobacco
use. And it should be noted that Big Tobacco is one of the Republican
Party's biggest financial supporters.

Mort Paulson

Silver Spring