PROTESTERS

Americans for Safe Access, a national organization of pot promoters,
on behalf of war veterans seeking medical marijuana.

Protestees

The Veteran's Affairs hospital, President George Bush and the federal
government's policy on medical marijuana.

The Problem

While a recent court decision gave some protection for state doctors
in prescribing medicinal wacky-tabacky, veteran-serving VA clinics are
not allowed the same leeway. As part of ASA's Medicinal Marijuana Week
(Feb. 15 - 22), Buddha-smoking activists protested outside of the VA
Outpatient Clinic at 13th and Mission streets around noon Thursday.

What Do They Want?

Pot activists say they want VA clinics to start prescribing needed
marijuana for emotionally and physically scarred war veterans.

Chances of Success

Not too good, with the federal government's and Bush's rigid stance on
medicinal marijuana. Perhaps Bush will take a little advice from Dr. Mike
Alcalay, 62, who served as a doctor for a year in Vietnam: "George, you
have a past history of smoking dope and even taking cocaine. I would go
back and smoke a little more dope, George. You need to cool out, man."