MARIJUANA FOR THE SICK

To the Editor:

Re "Defiant California City Hands Out Marijuana" (news article, Sept. 18),
about a giveaway of medical marijuana in Santa Cruz to protest a federal
raid two weeks ago:

The New England Journal of Medicine calls federal policy against medical
marijuana "misguided" and "inhumane." The drug has been used medicinally
over the centuries with no ill effects.

Richard Meyer, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, wonders
what message the providing of medical marijuana sends our youth. Perhaps
they will learn that they should stand up for their beliefs. Perhaps they
will learn that the fear of legal sanctions should not prevent them from
helping the sick.

I can't imagine a better message.

MITCHELL EARLEYWINE

Los Angeles, Sept. 18, 2002

The writer is an associate professor of psychology, University of Southern
California.