To the editor:

Ms. Cushing's statements in the 10.22.04 Tribune put unique spins on her reasons against the measure.  Rather than blankly dismiss her article, I would point out one misrepresentation she makes.

M33 "allows possession of.conservatively 16,000 joints."

The average weight of a joint is .9 to 1 gram. (Unless one is rolling "pinners.") There are 2710.56g (read joints) in 6 pounds, or about 1/5 Ms. Cushing's "conservative" estimate.

Because the joints don't renew themselves, they are a continually dwindling resource that only another successful crop, one year later under Measure 33, would ensure continuation of the medicine a patient needs.

Vote YES on 33!