MARIJUANA MISJUDGMENT

U.S. Cracks Down On Medical Marijuana In California

To the Editor:

In an Oct. 31 news article about the Justice Department's escalating war on
medical marijuana in California, a department spokeswoman is quoted as
saying, "The recent enforcement is indicative that we have not lost our
priorities in other areas since Sept. 11."

I find it rather disturbing that in the face of terrorist attacks and
threats to the general population, the Justice Department has any priority
toward denying the sick and dying access to a nontoxic medicine that
greatly improves their quality of life. Even without the outside aggression
being directed toward our country, the policy of denying beneficial
medicine to those who need it is unfathomable.

Richard L. Root, Communications Director

American Medical Marijuana Assn. Westminster, Calif., Oct. 31, 2001