Pubdate: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 Date: 03/23/1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Author: Michael L. Stempel Re "Pot Has Uses as Medicine, U.S. Panel Says," March 18: Now that the study of marijuana commissioned by Barry McCaffrey, our own federal drug czar, is released, perhaps we can have an adult dialogue about the medical applications of marijuana for people who can benefit from its use. Since the report does indeed indicate it has benefits for certain diseases, we should allow research to move forward so that it can be applied in the proper cases in the most effective way; not necessarily smoked. It is just a matter of realizing the world will not go to hell in a handbasket if some truly sick people get to use marijuana. Michael L. Stempel West Hollywood