MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Regarding the story, "Nevadans Asked to Blaze Trail for Legalization"
(Tribune, Sept. 9), the Nevada ballot measure at this point is merely a
symbolic call for more states' rights. Consider that every administration
since Nixon (the Ford and Carter administrations excepted) has considered
marijuana to be public enemy No. 1. There is no way they will allow
legalized marijuana in any state, no matter what the citizens want.

John Ashcroft and the Bush administration would rather see cancer patients
in California die than be allowed to choose medical marijuana. We need to
take this power out of the administration's hands and let every state make
its own decision on cannabis. I thought that states' rights and limited
government were core Republican beliefs.

MARK LEHRER
Salt Lake City