Pubdate: 26 Feb 1999
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 1999 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22229
Fax: (703) 247-3108
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WAR AGAINST MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAUSES MISERY

Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey's favorite phrase is "at the end of the day."
Rumor has it that the end of McCaffrey's day as a drug czar is at hand.

McCaffrey knows the drug war can't be "won" and that after he has earned
enough purple hearts, it is time for a new assignment ("DEA chief: Drug
fight lacks desire," News, Feb, 19).

I, too, am at the end of my day. I am an AIDS patient who for two years
successfully used medical marijuana to keep down the life-saving, but
nausea-producing "combination cocktail" therapy.

I was arrested last July on federal medical marijuana charges. Deprived of
the only anti-nausea medication that seems to work for me, my AIDS is out
of control. Meanwhile, I am facing probable death.

McCaffrey's holy war against medical marijuana set the federal tenor. I
hope that at the end of his day he reflects on the unnecessary misery his
continued opposition to medical marijuana has caused.

Peter McWilliams, Los Angeles, Calif. 
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