A CRITICAL SAFETY NET FOR PATIENTS

Any need for adjustments to Oregon's medical marijuana program should not
be interpreted to mean that the program is a failure ("State hedges
deadline for medical marijuana verification," Jan. 15).

Regardless of whether in-person visits are required, the law is working;
more than 1,800 state-certified patients and perhaps 1,000 caregivers are
protected from arrest for medical marijuana, just as voters intended in
November 1998. The Marijuana Policy Project is lobbying for Oregon-style
laws in Maryland and Vermont, and New Mexico is set to enact such a law
this month.

Even if the details need a little fine-tuning, such as the proposal to
require in-person visits, Oregon's medical marijuana program still provides
a critical safety net to patients who need the relief that marijuana can bring.

KRISSY OECHSLIN Assistant director of communications Marijuana Policy
Project Washington, D.C.