DRUG LOBBY

Dallas -- Columnist Steve Chapman is correct ("Medical marijuana and
its witless enemies," Commentary, Feb. 29). To keep cannabis illegal
in a medical setting, the administration and other politicians must
ignore the scientific evidence and the will of the great majority (80
percent) of Americans. He does not speculate about why.

The conflict over medical marijuana is really a conflict over whether
this very easily grown herb should be allowed to compete against
pharmaceutical products. Cannabis is well known for treating nausea
from chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and the AIDS Wasting
Syndrome. It is also effective against migraine headaches, depression,
Nail Patella Syndrome and countless other maladies. It would compete
against hundreds of pharmaceutical products for pennies on the dollar.

According to Public Citizen's report The Other Drug War 2003, the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America hired 112
lobbyists in 2002. Since 1997, the industry has spent nearly $478
million lobbying the federal government.

Is it any surprise that suffering patients don't stand a chance?

Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Forum of Texas