Marijuana

To the Editors of The Crimson:

Pending now in the State Assembly is an important bill, S. 1825, The Medical Reclassification of Marijuana. This legislation would make it possible for patients afflicted with cancer or glaucoma to abtain prescriptions for marijuana. Given the testimony of medical researchers as to the relief this drug can provide for some patients, it seems a shame that those patients are barred from relief on account of our society's general disapprobation of non-prescription, non-medical uses of the drug.

Harvard Friends of NORML worked very hard this past spring to win passage of this bill through the State Senate. Unfortunately, S. 1825 faces a tough fight through the State Assembly to reach the Governor's desk. Among the swing votes are Representatives Charles Florio and Michael Lombardi, both serving our district. Readers of The Crimson could swing those votes by writing letters this week to both legislators, urging them to vote for S. 1825.

This is a small bill, affecting few people, but it could mean a great deal to the well-being of each of them. Mark S. Cohen