Pubdate: Sun, 19 Mar 2000 Source: New York Times (NY) Copyright: 2000 The New York Times Company Contact: 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 Fax: (212) 556-3622 Website: http://www.nytimes.com/ Forum: http://www10.nytimes.com/comment/ Author: Sam Abrams CANNABIS ADVOCATE To the editor: I'm disappointed that Mr. Crouch cops out on something that really matters in his otherwise accurate appreciation of Louis Armstrong. Armstrong, who had "endless energy and could play and play and play with the evangelical fire and charisma that brings a new art into being," was a confirmed, longtime user of and advocate for cannabis, which he considered an enhancer of musical perception and creativity. At a time when hundreds of thousands are being arrested for cannabis use, we need to heed Satchmo, who wrote, "It really puzzles me to see Marijuana connected with Narcotics -- Dope and all that . . . it's a thousand times better than whiskey -- it's an Assistant -- a friend." I find it puzzling that Mr. Crouch, who seems to really love and understand Armstrong, doesn't stand up for Satchmo's much abused "friend." SAM ABRAMS Rochester - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake