To Editor. —As an oncologist I am continually astounded by government policy surrounding medicinal use of marijuana. The recent Commentary by Dr Grinspoon and Mr Bakalar1stated problem with eloquence and sensitivity. In addition, I would point out that in contrast to marijuana, cigarette tobacco has no proven medicinal effect whatsoever, is as addictive as cocaine and heroin,2is subsidized with tax dollars, and costs United States an estimated $100 billion in health care expenditures and lost productivity.3 It is ironic to inform cancer patients that they cannot partake of marijuana to relieve their metastatic lung cancer— associated anorexia and cachexia acquired from years of partaking in the only consumer product sold legally in United States that is unequivocally carcinogenic when used as directed.3In addition, with cost of other effective appetite stimulants and antiemetics in excess of $200 per