US CT: PUB LTE: RELL'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA VETO SENDS WRONG MESSAGE

Note: The writer is president of the UCONN chapter of Students for
Sensible Drug Policy.

RELL'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA VETO SENDS WRONG MESSAGE

Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently vetoed a bill to allow the use of medical
marijuana, effectively denying those who suffer from debilitating
medical conditions a means to ease their pain and suffering without
fear of arrest [Connecticut section, June 20, "Rell Vetoes Marijuana
Bill"].

In her veto message, Gov. Rell expressed concern that carving out an
exception for the palliative use of marijuana by the seriously ill
would send the wrong message to children, undermining efforts to teach
them about the dangers of illegal drugs.

As a child of the D.A.R.E. generation, I am tired of our name being
used to constantly polarize the issue of medical marijuana and the
larger war on drugs.

To let seriously ill people ease their pain and suffering with their
doctors' authorization sends exactly the right message to children by
teaching the true properties of drugs and the appropriate
circumstances in which they are to be used.

The dangers of abusing drugs, legal or illegal, must be taught to
children. But just because a drug is potentially dangerous to children
doesn't mean it shouldn't be made available to responsible adults who
are suffering real pain.

The youth of the D.A.R.E. generation are taking a stand and demanding
that the debate on medical marijuana be based on science instead of
"reefer madness" propaganda.

Furthermore, alarmist teachings about marijuana can actually be
harmful when a child experiments with the drug and determines that its
effects are nothing like the exaggerated experiences portrayed by law
enforcement.

After finding out that they've been lied to about marijuana, youth are
less likely to take the teachings about other illegal drugs, such as
cocaine, heroin or meth to heart.

Daniel Lee Cornelious Jr.

Norwich

The writer is president of the UCONN chapter of Students for Sensible
Drug Policy.