HEFLEY SHOULD SUPPORT MOVE TO AID COLORADANS

I applaud the actions of the Teller County authorities in returning
the medical marijuana belonging to Glenda Martin, Florissant resident
and epilepsy patient ("Case against pot grower dropped," Metro, June
17).

However, I worry that her battle with the government may not be over.
While the Teller County prosecutors recognize Colorado's Amendment 20,
which allows certain seriously ill Coloradans to receive medical
marijuana under their doctor's direction, the federal government
doesn't share this respect.

I work with a group of medical marijuana patients in Colorado Springs,
and am sickened to think they could be subject to federal prosecution
for merely following their doctors' instructions. Worse still, their
security is being undermined by our elected representatives who,
flouting the will of the electorate, actively encourage the
prosecution of Colorado's sick and dying.

Congress soon could be voting on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment
which would prevent the federal government from prosecuting and
imprisoning Colorado's medical marijuana patients and caregivers.
Several Colorado congressman, including Joel Hefley, have voted
against this bill in the past, preferring to see Colorado's cancer,
multiple sclerosis and AIDS patients spend their last days suffering
in federal prison. Please urge Hefley to show compassion for
Colorado's sick and dying with a vote in support of the
Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment.

Brian Vicente

Marijuana Policy Project

Denver