ON GOLDEN POT

Re "Just say 'no' to Q-9" [RN&R Letters, Oct. 17]:

As a former resident of Nevada, I've been following the Question 9 campaign
with great interest.

In a recent letter, Betty Kruk stated: "I am a recovering cancer patient.
If I were on my deathbed, in severe pain, I would not want to smoke
marijuana to relieve that pain."

Her reason? "I would not be so selfish as to want something made legal
which will cause great harm to young people and others who become addicts."

I certainly hope her recovery continues. But if it doesn't, will she really
be willing to forego pain medication such as morphine, Oxycontin and other
dangerous narcotics? After all, these substances are far more addictive and
have caused far more loss of life than marijuana.

The point is that Betty Kruk is within her rights to do without any
medication she finds immoral. She should not presume to make that decision
for anyone else. She and the other opponents of Question 9 need to learn
that great human virtue known as "minding your own business."

Ray Aldridge

Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.