Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jan 2004 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2004 News World Communications, Inc. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Author: Gary Storck Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) COMPASSION AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA Regarding "Bush says help to Iran is no thaw" (Page 1, Friday): President Bush said easing restrictions to help Iranians in the wake of the recent earthquake there showed that the American people have "great compassion for human suffering." But if easing restrictions to help Iranians demonstrates compassion, where is the Bush administration's compassion for sick and dying Americans who have exhausted all legal treatments and have turned to marijuana, still illegal under federal law even for medical use, to ease their suffering? Compassion should begin at home, and while some polls have found that more than 80 percent of the American public supports legalizing medical marijuana, federal officials have continued to target patients and providers. The Bush administration recently was handed an opportunity to display compassion: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal laws prohibiting marijuana possession and cultivation are unconstitutional in cases where patients are using marijuana with a doctor's note and when the marijuana is not sold and does not cross state lines. Rather than appeal the ruling, as the administration is expected to do, allowing it to stand would be a good way to show that Mr. Bush has compassion for suffering Americans as well. GARY STORCK Madison, Wis. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh