World" "Tom O'Connell" San Francisco Chronicle Contact: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 `A LIGHT FOR PRISONERS OF PROHIBITION' Editor -- Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998, is the 78th anniversary of the day the 18th Amendment to the Constitution -- prohibition of alcohol -- went into effect. That dismal legislative failure was ultimately repealed, but the legacy of misguided prohibition policy remains. In 1996 over half-a-million people were arrested for possession of marijuana. The numbers don't adequately describe the pain their families suffer. Across the nation, first in Delaware and then in the state of Washington, loved ones have begun leaving lights in their windows until fathers, mothers, siblings and children -- all ``prisoners of prohibition'' - -- can come home. California voters are prisoners of prohibition too. The 56 percent majority who passed Proposition 215 (Compassionate Use Act) are about to see their votes nullified by the federal government. The Justice Department has filed suit to close six cannabis clubs that provide medicinal marijuana to the sick and dying. We voted for Proposition 215 so that our friend who is struggling to live with the AIDS virus and digestive disorders could obtain marijuana to increase appetite, regain weight and be able to maintain the pill regimen necessary to control the AIDS virus. A year ago our friend was a walking skeleton; now this person can do the things that are important to life. When the cannabis clubs close, our friend will have to go to the street to find marijuana, by federal law a criminal who risks imprisonment. When our nation's government said it would sue the cannabis clubs, we decided to put a light in our window too. We urge all Californians who support Proposition 215 to do the same. JANE MARCUS LEW MERMELSTEIN Palo Alto - ------------------------------------------- THE REAL ISSUE Editor -- Sure, Proposition 215 was poorly written, but the real issue isn't about marijuana. Sure, no ``distribution system'' was envisioned -- but any in the initiative would have violated federal law. But the issue wasn't really allowing medical marijuana via popular vote. I suspect the real reason Proposition 215 (medical marijuana) was so poorly written was that it was a desperate cry for sanity by those drowning in a sea of insanity where the voices of reason were drowned out by the crashing cacophony of all these messages that are supposed to be doing our children so much good (while leaving the decision as to whether they can buy any drugs up to criminals). So be it, Billy and Dan and Pete and Dianne and Barbara. Stick your heads in the sand. I only hope your constituencies will react by voting you, or those you might dare endorse, out of office. The issue isn't ``pot,'' folks. The issue is that we essentially told them ``We don't like a policy -- now work with us, please.'' Somebody ought to teach these government servants exactly who runs this country. WILLIAM W. READ Pasadena