Pubdate: Wed, 25 Sep 2002
Source: New York Times (NY)
Section: Editorial/Op-Ed
Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Mitchell Earleywine
Note: The writer is an associate professor of psychology, University of 
Southern California.

MARIJUANA FOR THE SICK

To the Editor:

Re "Defiant California City Hands Out Marijuana" (news article, Sept. 18), 
about a giveaway of medical marijuana in Santa Cruz to protest a federal 
raid two weeks ago:

The New England Journal of Medicine calls federal policy against medical 
marijuana "misguided" and "inhumane." The drug has been used medicinally 
over the centuries with no ill effects.

Richard Meyer, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, wonders 
what message the providing of medical marijuana sends our youth. Perhaps 
they will learn that they should stand up for their beliefs. Perhaps they 
will learn that the fear of legal sanctions should not prevent them from 
helping the sick.

I can't imagine a better message.

MITCHELL EARLEYWINE

Los Angeles, Sept. 18, 2002

The writer is an associate professor of psychology, University of Southern 
California.
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MAP posted-by: Beth