ASHCROFT'S DISREGARD FOR THE CONSTITUTION IS LUDICROUS

As noted in Ellen Goodman's excellent Nov. 16 column ("Why did John
Ashcroft pick this fight?" syndicated column), Attorney General John
Ashcroft is attempting to undermine Oregon's assisted suicide law and
California's medical marijuana law. Both laws were passed by ballot
initiative and are protected by the Constitution's 10th Amendment.

Ashcroft seems to have it in for the terminally ill. The Los Angeles
medical marijuana club that was raided was renowned for its stringent
requirements and the inability of federal agents to conduct sting
operations by posing as patients. More than 900 cancer and AIDS patients
depended on marijuana to help them combat nausea and keep food down. They
will now be forced to buy marijuana on the street. 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

Program Officer

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy

Foundation http://www.drugpolicy.org