GLARING OMISSION

Sen. Barbara Boxer's "record of votes and bills supporting just about
every progressive cause" has one glaring gap: medical marijuana
["Looking for a Fight," Sept. 16].

In California, medical marijuana is a nonpartisan issue, supported by
74 percent of voters according to a January 2004 Field poll -- as well
as every major candidate in last year's gubernatorial recall election,
from Tom McClintock on the right to Peter Camejo on the left. But
Barbara Boxer has been missing in action.

When the Clinton administration and later the Bush administration
tried to attack physicians who recommend marijuana pursuant to Prop.
215, Boxer said nothing.

When the Drug Enforcement Administration sent squads of armed thugs
into California to arrest patients and caregivers using medical
marijuana legally under state law, Boxer said nothing.

When President Bush nominated longtime drug war apparatchik Karen
Tandy to head the DEA -- and Tandy claimed that "marijuana has not
been shown to have medicinal benefits" while admitting she was "not
personally familiar" with two federal reports showing otherwise --
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) opposed her nomination. Even Dianne
Feinstein raised questions. Boxer said nothing.

Today, as the DEA has resumed its attacks on California patients and
caregivers, Barbara Boxer continues to say nothing.

In a state where three quarters of the public supports medical
marijuana, the only U.S. Senate candidate pledged to end the Bush
administration's war on the sick is Judge Jim Gray, the Libertarian
nominee. How sad.

Bruce Mirken

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington, D.C.