Pubdate: Sun, 18 Nov 2001
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32
Author: Lee Eisenstein
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

On behalf of the patients, caregivers, physicians and voters in California 
who utilize and support our state's Compassionate Use Act of 1996, I offer 
thanks for David Broder's column questioning the Bush administration's 
escalating war on medical marijuana ("DEA marijuana madness," Nov. 11).

Many of us view these actions as little different from the time in our 
early history when British troops were sent to take control over our 
forefathers who chose to exercise their God-given right to self-govern. It 
is unsettling to see this constitutionally-protected right so blatantly 
ignored (see Ninth and Tenth Amendments, Bill of Rights).

Indeed, it is even more so a shame to see resources wasted on denying the 
suffering access to beneficial medicine while real threats to our safety 
are of such compelling concern to the citizenry.

LEE EISENSTEIN

Watsonville, Calif.
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