Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jun 2000
Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)
Copyright: 2000, The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemo.com/
Forum: http://www.pressdemo.com/opinion/talk/
Author: David R. Ford

MCWILLIAMS' STORY

Editor:

New York Times best-selling author and publisher Peter McWilliams was 
literally killed by the federal government in the name of the war on 
marijuana. Peter's books sold more than 2 million copies, including: 
"Getting over the loss of a loved one;" How to heal depression," Life 101 
and other best sellers. Peter had cancer and AIDS.

In 1997, he financed professional gardener and cancer patient Todd 
McCormick to write a book on various strains of medical marijuana plants 
for diverse illnesses. McCormick was arrested in 1997.

The only medicine which prevented Peter from vomiting from his cancer and 
AIDS medication was marijuana. In federal court, both he and McCormick were 
forbidden to mention their dire medical conditions. They were literally 
defenseless.

McCormick pleaded guilty to marijuana cultivation and was sentenced to five 
years in federal prison. McWilliams was due to be sentenced in August. He 
was not allowed to use his marijuana or even the legal synthetic pot 
capsule, Marinol.

A few days ago his home caught fire. Peter choked to death due to the lack 
of pot that kept him from throwing up.

May God forgive the federal government for refusing to recognize that 
marijuana for some patients is the only medicine that works.

David R. Ford, Sonoma
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