Pubdate: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 1999 Los Angeles Times. Contact: (213) 237-4712 Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/HOME/DISCUSS/ Author: STEVE KUBBY Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n211.a08.html MEDICAL MARIJUANA * Vasconcellos deserves high praise for his essay. This extraordinary statement is both courageous and historic, especially in light of his defense of McWilliams and other medical marijuana patients who are currently being persecuted by hostile federal officials. Vasconcellos' challenge to the federal government to respect the will of the people is the kind of genuine and inspired leadership that deserves our respect and support. It's time to stop arresting sick people. STEVE KUBBY Olympic Valley, Calif. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck