ASHCROFT SHOWS DISREGARD FOR TERMINALLY ILL

As noted in your excellent Nov. 14 editorial, Attorney General John
Ashcroft is attempting to undermine Oregon's assisted-suicide law.
It's interesting to note that Mr. Ashcroft cited a narrow Supreme
Court ruling against a medical marijuana club in Oakland, Calif., to
justify his actions. Mr. Ashcroft seems to have it in for the
terminally ill.

The Department of Justice recently raided a Los Angeles medical
marijuana club renowned for its stringent requirements, thorough
documentation, and the inability of federal agents to conduct sting
operations by posing as patients. The more than 900 cancer and AIDS
patients who depended on the club to help them combat nausea and keep
food down will now be forced to buy marijuana on the street.

Both Oregon's assisted-suicide law and California's medical marijuana
law were passed by ballot initiative and are protected by the
Constitution's 10th Amendment. Mr. Ashcroft's ideology-driven
priorities would seem ludicrous even without the all too real threat
of international terrorism.

His complete disregard for the Constitution and willingness to force
terminally ill patients to endure unnecessary suffering is
unconscionable.

ROBERT SHARPE

Lindesmith Center - Drug Policy Foundation

Washington, D.C.