Pubdate: Mon, 08 Dec 1997
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Author: Ladd Huffman

As I read the Nov. 26 Further Reflections ("The Medical Marijuana
Deception") by Altoona Police Chief John Gray, I couldn't help
but think of Chicken Little.

Doctors should be able to prescribe the most effective medicine.
They can prescribe morphine and cocaine, and I don't believe that
makes it any more acceptable for illicit use in anyone's mind.
It is glaringly apparent that Gray does not suffer from chronic
or life threatening disease. He should walk a mile in our braces,
wheelchairs and sick beds before he makes that leap from medicine
to legalization and children.

Legislatures in 34 states have recognized marijuana's medical
value. It is the feds who are out of touch with the people.
Chief Gray and others seem to think that the voting public is
being duped, that they aren't smart enough to know what they are
voting for. The California proposition received more votes than
Clinton did.

Despite legislators' good intentions, they occasionally pass bad
laws. Slavery, segregation, women's right to vote and Prohibition
are classic examples.

Ladd Huffman
Calumet