Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH) Copyright: 2005 The Blade Contact: http://www.toledoblade.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48 Author: Stephen Heath SUPPORT LEGAL ACCESS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA The common sense expressed in your June 11 editorial, "Where is the compassion," is a real breath of fresh air. It's a refreshing 21st-century contrast to the unrelenting stance of President George Bush's Office of National Drug Control Policy. The ONDCP, the Drug Enforcement Adminstration, and federal Drug Czar John Walters insist that marijuana is of the same medical value as heroin. By leaving marijuana in Schedule 1 (illegal to prescribe or possess for any reason), they define all patients who use it to be criminals. Mr. Walters and the DEA believe that patients who legally use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation in the 11 states with such legal access should be subject to arrest, prosecution, and time in federal prison. We extend a friendly cross-country plea to Ohioans to contact their federal representatives and ask that they abandon support for the ONDCP's 19th-century thinking. Support the bipartisan efforts to increase medical freedom and patients' rights. STEPHEN HEATH Drug Policy Forum of Florida - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)