Pubdate: Sun, 25 Sep 2005
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2005 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Bruce Mirken
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

SENSELESS DEATH, SENSELESS LAW

Bravo to Colbert I. King for continuing to shine a light on the 
needless death of 27-year-old quadriplegic Jonathan Magbie in the 
D.C. jail ["Justice for a 'Death of Neglect,' " op-ed, Sept. 17]. I 
hope his family will receive compensation for what appears to have 
been criminally negligent stupidity by those entrusted with Mr. Magbie's care.

Mr. Magbie, who used marijuana to ease pain from the childhood injury 
that left him disabled, need not have gone to jail in the first 
place. Had Congress allowed the medical marijuana initiative passed 
by District voters in 1998 to take effect, he probably would be alive today.

If the District's jailers have blood on their hands, so do the 
members of Congress who conspired to treat Mr. Magbie and patients 
like him as criminals.

BRUCE MIRKEN

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman