Tue Dec  2 14:08:18 1997

Thank you for contacting the Governors Office concerning medical 
marijuana use.  The Governor appreciates hearing from you.  We will 
refer the letter on to Lt. Governor Brad Owen as you requested.

The Governor does not presently advocate legalizing marijuana. 
Communities across the state are struggling to prevent and treat 
substance abuse.  It is a contributing factor in many violent crimes, 
and he questions whether legalizing this or other addictive drugs will 
lessen these alarming trends.

The debate over legalizing marijuana has increased in recent times as 
medical research points more toward its potential medicinal value for 
easing nausea and other ill effects of some cancer treatments, as well 
as alleviating some adverse effects of glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, 
and AIDS or HIV-related illnesses.  It is important that these claims 
be examined and verified by the medical and scientific community before 
the state of Washington considers relaxing its laws.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to contact Governor Locke with 
your questions and comments.

Sincerely,
Constituent Services
Office of the Governor

From:  Darral Good
Subject:  Re: TERMINALLY ILL
Date:  11/19/1997 12:00 am

DEAR GARY, I couldn't find Lt. Governor Brad Owens's e-mail address, so I 
hope you pass this on for me. I would enjoy reading your response to it as well.

DEAR LT. GOVERNOR BRAD OWEN,

I have been thinking about you, Brad Owen.

In the Seattle Times editorial (10 Nov. 97 - Don't give up the fight 
for MMJ)
You say are open to the idea of carefully defined legislation that specifies
what "seriously or terminally" and proposes a controlled process for 
growing and distributing.   -  "Seriously or Terminally"

Who should decide who should receive medical marijuana?
As a registered voter I'd like to express my strong disapproval of the 
continued prohibition of marijuana. The legalization of Cannabis Sativa-Hemp 
would provide great economical and ecological benefits to our great country. 
Hemp is one of the best natural sources of paper, fiber, clothing, and even 
fuel. 

No one has ever died from overdose of marijuana.

Yet we have over 400,000 deaths every year attributed to alcohol or tobacco. 
Meanwhile, there are thousand of sick people who are denied access to the most
effective medicine for their ailments, just because that medicine happens to be
marijuana.
 
Surely we can find a better use for the billions of dollars spent 
pursuing and eradicating this useful plant. 
            Thank You. 


   Is the war on drugs so sacred that we must sacrifice the medical 
marijuana patients who choose to use this valuable medicine?

I use medical marijuana to combat the loss of appetite, depression, 
the extreme, constant headaches that come along with Hepatitis C.

I am not a criminal!  I would like to see a bill in congress to 
appropriate money to the grossly underfunded research having to do 
with Hepatitis C. 
( an estimated 3.9 million Americans have this disease according to 
the CDC.)

Medical marijuana is a good medicine for me because it allows be the 
luxury of laughter that helps stimulate the ENDORPHINS which help my 
immune functions and help alleiviate the headaches and depression.
I assure you that my marijuana use is responsible and  helping me stay 
alive.
Please consider the fact that marijuana is one of the safest theraputics 
known to man.

DARRAL GOOD