FEDS NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM MARIJUANA

Your Dec. 18 article on the trials and tribulations of medical marijuana
patient Susan Gaskill underscored the need for a state regulated system free
from federal intrusion. Marijuana prohibition itself should be subjected to
a cost-benefit analysis. Unfortunately, a review of marijuana legislation
would open up a Pandora's box most politicians would just as soon avoid.
America's marijuana laws are based on culture and xenophobia, not science.

The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican migration
during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the American Medical
Association. White Americans did not even begin to smoke marijuana until a
soon-to-be entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness
propaganda.

Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been
counterproductive at best. An estimated 38% of Americans have now smoked
pot. The reefer madness myths have long been discredited, forcing the drug
war gravy train to spend millions of tax dollars on politicized research,
trying to find harm in a relatively harmless plant.

California patients may be protected, but medical marijuana providers
aren't. By conducting paramilitary raids on voter-approved medical marijuana
clubs, the very same Drug Enforcement Administration that claims illicit
drug use funds terrorism is forcing cancer and AIDS patients into the hands
of street dealers. Apparently federal marijuana laws are more important than
protecting the country from terrorism.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.