Pubdate: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 Source: Rockford Register Star (IL) Copyright: 2005 Rockford Register Star Contact: http://www.rrstar.com/ezaccess/contactus/lettertotheeditor.shtml Website: http://www.rrstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/370 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n917.a09.html REFORM DRUG POLICIES Regarding your June 8 editorial: What's the real impact of state-level medical marijuana laws on interstate commerce? Patients with the option of legally obtaining marijuana under a doctor's recommendation don't rely on the black market. If the federal government decides to focus federal law enforcement resources on busting voter-approved medical marijuana suppliers, desperate patients will turn to street dealers for their medicine. The U.S. Supreme Court effectively confirmed organized crime's monopoly on marijuana distribution. International drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with the court's ruling. It's now up to Congress to decide whether or not to maintain the status quo. Despite overwhelming public support for medical marijuana, many politicians remain fearful of drug policy reform. Far too much political capital has been invested in the war on some drugs. Tough-on-drugs politicians have built careers on confusing drug prohibition's collateral damage with a relatively harmless plant. I can only hope the prospect of federal agents arresting cancer and AIDS patients inspires Congress to pass compassionate-use legislation. Reefer madness is a poor excuse for criminalizing healthy citizens who prefer marijuana to martinis. There is no excuse for prosecuting sick patients desperate to ease their suffering. Robert Sharpe MPA policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin