MARIJUANA BILL RIGHT ON TARGET

In Signing This Legislation, Ehrlich Kept Another Promise

Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich added another star to his "did what I said I
would" column when he signed legislation that would permit the use of
marijuana for medical purposes. Approving the measure was controversial,
especially among his Republican brethren, and could cause problems down the
road for Ehrlich.

The new law sharply reduces the penalty for marijuana possession when the
defendant is seeking relief from symptoms of cancer, AIDS and other
devastating illnesses. In his supporting comments, the new governor made
clear his belief that even those people opposed to marijuana
decriminalization differentiate between legalizing the drug and allowing
those dying of chronic illnesses to alleviate their pain.

The case has long been made that smoking marijuana can ease the symptoms of
serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis and
Crohn's disease. There is medical testimony showing that use of the
controversial drug can help patients who are suffering from nausea hold down
food and vital medications.

In signing the measure, Ehrlich literally stood up to the Bush
administration in the person of John P. Walters, the director of the Office
of National Drug Control Policy.

Walters has said repeatedly that marijuana is a fraudulent remedy and that
those who support medicinal marijuana possess the ultimate motive of
legalization.

As President Bush's drug czar, Walters has even asked Congress to cut off
federal drug enforcement money to local police in states that permit
marijuana for medical purposes. Eight other states -- Alaska, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington -- have medical
marijuana laws.

Walters waged a last-minute campaign to block Ehrlich from signing the
measure. He predicted the governor and Maryland General Assembly would
actually increase the state's addiction problems through their "cynical,
cruel and immoral effort to use the sick and suffering" to legalize
marijuana.

The governor and legislators did the right thing. Their decision merely
helps people in need. Those who abuse the drug will still face the proper
penalties. Despite Walters' and others' arguments to the contrary, there is
no slippery-slope analogy to be found on this issue.