A MORAL OBLIGATION

In announcing his global AIDS initiative, President George W. Bush said,
"Fighting AIDS ... is rooted in the simplest of moral duties: When we see
this kind of preventable suffering ... we must act."

With November 2004 fast approaching, Bush's plan seems designed to show the
president has a heart. But, if Bush really cares about preventable
suffering, why has he directed Attorney General John Ashcroft to go after
California medical marijuana providers and patients?

Research has shown medical marijuana is beneficial to AIDS patients, and
this is particularly true in Africa, where people may be too poor to even
buy an aspirin, much less have a pharmacy to buy one at. A medicine like
cannabis, which can be grown locally, may be the only medicine these AIDS
patients have access to.

Yes, President Bush, we must act. Acknowledge that it is immoral to
withhold a medicine from patients who can benefit and do everything in your
power to make medical marijuana legally available both at home and abroad.

Gary Storck

Madison, Wis.