MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE IS NO JOKE--IT AFFECTS US ALL

I must take issue with a portion of the subhead of a recent editorial:
"Will Virginia make it a joint policy?" ["Good medicine," May 31].

The issue of medical or recreational marijuana shouldn't be made a joke by
the media. Sick people rot in our prisons. Over 730,000 are arrested
yearly. Sixteen million of our fellow citizens (many are hard workers with
homes and families) carry felony convictions that limit their quality of
life and pursuit of happiness.

The writer of this editorial could show a little more respect for the sick,
and be thankful not to be in their shoes. The writer should be asking, "why
are my children and grandchildren getting less education and going without
health care while our government spends tens of billions of dollars every
year chasing the sick or a neighbor puffing a joint at home?"

Maybe only 15 million use marijuana, but it affects the lives of all 280
million citizens.

Larry Seguin

Lisbon, N.Y.