The Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor
Wednesday, March 3, 1999
Medical Marijuana
California state Sen. John Vasconcellos has just touched the tip of the iceberg of
the problems with our national drug prohibition policy (Commentary, Feb. 25).
The dominant puritanical minority that controls the Congress with coercion, fear
and the politics of personal destruction has also subverted our federal courts. After
the federal sentencing commission proposed easing marijuana sentencing, the Congress
responded by refusing to approve any more appointments to the commission. The result
is that the federal courts no longer have the guidance of the commission and thus
federal law and the nation's courts are effectively subverted.
Most judges fear rendering constitutionally consistent decisions because these vindictive
members of the Congress will censure them. While a censure won't remove a judge from
the court, it will foreclose any upward mobility in the system. This is the judicial
environment that Peter McWilliams is subjected to.
If the state of California is to save the life of McWilliams, it should step in and
take him into protective custody from the federal prosecutors and provide to him
the lifesaving marijuana that he needs to stabilize and strengthen his body. The
state should stand up to the federal persecutors and protect their citizen from a
federal government gone mad.
PAT ROGERS
Allentown, Pa.
Vasconcellos deserves high praise for his essay. This extraordinary statement is
both courageous and historic, especially in light of his defense of McWilliams and
other medical marijuana patients who are currently being persecuted by hostile federal
officials.
Vasconcellos' challenge to the federal government to respect the will of the people
is the kind of genuine and inspired leadership that deserves our respect and support.
It's time to stop arresting sick people.
STEVE KUBBY
Olympic Valley, California
NOTE: Less than 6 weeks after this letter was published, Kubby was arrested on medical
marijuana charges.