MARIJUANA DIDN'T 'SCREW THINGS UP' FOR ME

While I support keeping alcohol legally available, I must take issue with
Frank Kelly Rich's (The Arts, June 10) statement, "The hippies came along
and screwed everything up. The drug aspect took away all the old rituals."

It's been two and a half days since I've eaten. I have Crohn's Disease, and
I have relied on marijuana to ease the chronic nausea, vomiting and pain
that plague me. Unfortunately, by choosing to speak out in defense of my
medicine, I have had to forego it's use. It is intolerance and bigotry like
Rich's that keep my medicine illegal and keep me suffering.

Although I would never take away another person's pleasure in alcohol, the
same cannot be said for the people who believe "hippies", like me, should
suffer in prison. I'm a small town mom of five who has, at times, been
unable to care for my family because of my disease. Marijuana is not a
party favor for me - it's a life-giving medicine.

Until people like Rich can see past their own reefer madness, people like
me will continue living in fear of arrest and prison just to feel better.
Fortunately, this is not a fear Mr. Rich has to know.

Mrs. Erin Hildebrandt

Smithsburg, MD