DEMOCRATS AND POT

There is an important distinction between the Democratic presidential
candidates not mentioned in your endorsement piece ["Endorsements,"
2/18/04]: The Bush Justice Department has conducted a series of raids
that have terrorized medical marijuana patients and caregivers
throughout California. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has said it
would be "irresponsible" to end these raids, apparently seeing no
problem with Drug Enforcement Administration agents pointing automatic
rifles at sick and dying people.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts has pledged to end the raids, and at
least indicated an open mind toward changing federal law to permit
medical use of marijuana -- not as strong a stand as some of us might
like, but a vast improvement over the policies of George W. Bush, or
of President Clinton before him. Ohio representative Dennis Kucinich
has gone even further, saying he supports medical marijuana "without
reservation" and would immediately act to end the federal war on the
sick. A full guide to the candidates' positions on medical marijuana
(including candidates who have now dropped out) is available at
www.mpp.org/candidates/home.

Bruce Mirken,

Director of communications

Marijuana Policy Project

San Francisco