Pubdate: Sun, 04 Nov 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Section: Opinion
Author: Richard L. Root

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
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens