December 13, 1995 Mr. Carl E. Olsen Libertarian Party of Iowa 1116 East Seneca Ave., #3 Des Moines, Iowa 50316 Dear Mr. Olsen: Thank you for your letter of March 24, 1996 and the enclosed materials regarding proposals to permit certain individuals to use marijuana. I am glad that you took the time to share those concerns with me. Recent medical evidence indicates that routine use of marijuana has significant harmful side effects. Accordingly, I do not support efforts to legalize marijuana. At this time, there are prescription drugs on the market to induce some of the effects attributed to marijuana, including the appetite loss experienced by chemotherapy patients and others. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Sincerely, Greg Ganske, M.D. Member of Congress 1108 Longworth House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-4426 Federal Bldg. 210 Walnut Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 284-4634