ALL DRUGS HAVE RISKS, NOT JUST MARIJUANA

Drug czar John P. Walters uses scare tactics to support the Bush
administration's opposition to medical marijuana use ("Medical
marijuana not worth the risk," Equal Time, Dec. 1). He focuses on the
risks of marijuana use, never mentioning the apparent benefits.

Every prescription drug has risks. A quick look at "Physician's Desk
Reference," available in most libraries, will show the side effects
and contraindications for using the drug.

Conscientious physicians balance those risks with the benefit of
taking the drug. If marijuana is the best drug available for a
patient, and its benefits more than balance the risks, it should be
available for physicians to prescribe it.

James Handsfield,

Atlanta