To the Editor:

Re "Doctors Given Federal Threat on Marijuana" (front page, Dec 31):
Apparently California's Proposition 215, which legalizes marijuana for
medical use, wasn't so badly written after all.

As its drafters knew, if doctors wrote a prescription for
marijnuana they would be subject to Federal punishment--regardless of
California law. That is why the proposition requires only a verbal or
written recommendation from a doctor, not a prescription.

Those who are determined to circumvent the will of California
voters are in a difficult position. They must admit defeat or declare war
on the First Amendment. The Clinton Administration threatens to deprive
doctors of the right to free speech. President Clinton's drug czar (an apt
phrase) and Attorney General are threatening to punish doctors who give
patients their honest opinion, if that honest opinion is that the herb
cannabis (marijuana) may provide relief.

Rose Ann Fuhrman
Santa Rosa, Calif