A CRITICAL NEED FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

To the Editor:

I read Henry I. Miller's denunciation of New York's medical marijuana
legislation ("Crackpot Legislation," Op-Ed, June 17) with shock and
dismay. I have some personal experience with this issue.

Marijuana pulled me back from the brink when AIDS-related wasting
endangered my life and conventional drugs failed. It still does better
than legal drugs at relieving the nausea and appetite loss caused by
the harsh anti-H.I.V. drugs I must take.

Dr. Miller holds out the promise of future research into
marijuana-based medicines. Apparently he feels that I would be
healthier going to jail rather than using medical marijuana to
maintain my appetite and weight.

I -- and my doctor -- disagree.

John Sheridan, New York