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'COMPASSION GAP'

Thanks for recognizing Wisconsin congressman David Obey for sticking up for medical marijuana patients in a recent debate in your column, "Here's how Democrats can win in November" ( July 20 ).

Unfortunately, according to the roll call, there are only 18 Republicans who, as you noted of Rep.  Obey, speak like true Republicans on this issue.  It was interesting to hear one of them, amendment cosponsor Rep.  Dana Rohrabacher ( R-Calif.  ), a former aide to President Reagan, share how not only did fellow Reagan aide Lyn Nofziger's daughter utilize cannabis fighting the cancer that eventually took her life, but that Nofziger himself used it to help manage his final illness.

Recent polling in New Jersey by the Drug Policy Alliance that found 86 percent support for state legislation also confirmed voters are more likely to support candidates who support medical marijuana.

If Democrats can exploit this "compassion gap," and field candidates who agree with most Americans that medical marijuana should be legal, it could likely provide the margin of victory they need to take back Congress this fall.

Gary Storck

Madison NORML

Madison, Wis.