Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 Date: 07/19/2000 Source: Journal Gazette (IN) Author: Neal Smith I must take issue with some of the statements made in your paper by Calvina L. Fay, executive director, Drug Free America Foundation Inc. Marijuana has a several thousand-year history of medical use. Most recently, the Institute of Medicine report of 1999 indicates some, though not all, of the medical uses as well as destroying the "Stepping Stone" myth about marijuana use. Further, recent studies prove marijuana's tumor-reduction capabilities, effectiveness in treating spasms, particularly in multiple sclerosis and Tourette's syndrome. The War on Some Drugs has been successful only in alienating a large portion of society and netting those misguided officials such as Rep. Mark Souder who are lining their pockets with proceeds from the drug war. The majority of those who support the drug war have a vested interest in doing so. Fay is among them. A good, honest look at the truth would help her and Souder. NEAL SMITH, Indianapolis Bookmark: additional articles on medicinal cannabis are available at http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm Cited: Drug Free America Foundation Inc. http://www.dfaf.org/ Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n972/a06.html