Pubdate: Sun, 08 Apr 2001
Source: Free Lance-Star (VA)
Copyright: 2001 The Free Lance-Star
Contact:  http://fredericksburg.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1065
Author: Ellen Herndon Atkins
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

APPROVE MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA

This is a letter in support of Larry Evans' column ["Replace tobacco with 
pot," March 30]. I agree with his opinion--the government needs to become 
more enlightened in their thinking regarding the issue of marijuana's use 
for medicinal purposes.

Not only could the government make money from this venture but farmers 
could sustain their families and farms with some of the profit. Currently, 
pharmaceutical companies pocket all the profit.

Why does the government insist on denying severely ill people access to an 
herb that can alleviate their pain and suffering? The "War on Drugs" has 
blocked compassion and empathy for humankind. This issue belongs in 
patient-physician discussions.

Ellen Herndon Atkins,

Mineral
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MAP posted-by: GD