NO NEED TO ARREST RESPONSIBLE USERS

Dear editor:

While I might view letter writer Jerry Tillema's points (Chatham This
Week, May 21) about marijuana's health risks as highly inaccurate or
exaggerated, I believe the discussion of whether adults should have
legal access to medical marijuana should only address one question.
And that is, "Should an adult who elects to use marijuana with the
endorsement of his physician be subject to arrest, criminal
prosecution and being caged behind steel bars like a dangerous animal?"

If Tillema or anyone else believes the health hazards he purports
relate to marijuana use, then they should vigorously carry and promote
that message to everyone they know. There is no need to arrest
responsible medical users in order to get their message out.
Supporters of change do not fear Tillema's exaggerations as we believe
that freedom has nothing to fear from the truth.

It is further interesting that Tillema is concerned about possible
taxpayer costs related to legal medical use, but has no problem with
the literal billions of tax dollars used annually to enforce marijuana
prohibition laws.

STEPHEN HEATH

Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater, Fla.