Pubdate: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 Date: 12/17/1998 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (Canada) Author: Jim Geiwitz The vicious attacks on Prof. Jean Veevers show clearly the bankruptcy of our laws regarding marijuana. Here is a person suffering chronic and emotional and physical pain, depressed, with arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. There is only one medicine proven effective against these debilitating ailments, and that is marijuana. Several U.S. states have approved the use of medical marijuana for these purposes. In my opinion, withholding marijuana from people in great pain is cruel and inhuman. Now, David Strong, president of UVic seeks to dismiss Prof. Veevers from the faculty. Isn't this the same David Strong who wanted to bring the president of China to UVic for a talk? A man with bloody, Tiananmen hands who still governs by torture and oppression - is this the kind of person who should be teaching our youth? We have yet to hear from the UVic faculty. As a body of knowledgeable about the benefits of marijuana and the pernicious effects of prohibition, the faculty should gather around their colleague Jean Veevers and begin a campaign to reform the laws against medical marijuana. Jim Geiwitz Victoria