SENATE SHOULD REJECT MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

Once again legislators are attempting to pass a bill in the Senate
pertaining to medical use of marijuana. As a former law enforcement
officer and two-time cancer survivor, I see no valid reason for this
to come to pass.

First, there is already a law on the books allowing medical use of
marijuana with a prescription. Any physician may issue this for
his/her patients. This prevents abuse by not only the patients but by
those who would call themselves "caregivers" under the new law.

Senate Bill 2865 would allow one "caregiver" to distribute the drug
for up to five "patients" and be allowed to produce the plant in
his/her home. They may also be paid for doing this.

It also would allow "visiting qualified patients" from out of state
to be provided with the drug.

While receiving chemotherapy for over a year in 1989 and again for
eight months in 2004, I was provided medications, when needed, that
eased my discomfort and enabled me to remain alert at the same time.
Those medications still exist.

As far as enforcement is concerned, this would be another disaster for
our police.

How, pray tell, do we enforce a law like this without entering
someone's home or business? Then what mountain of paperwork will be
needed to prove the plants and material used in the production of this
drug were indeed used legally or illegally?

How do we prevent the "visiting patients" from out of state from
receiving this drug, going back home and selling it themselves or
using it for other than medical reasons? Enforcement will not be possible.

Please contact your state senators on this. I also urge my fellow law
enforcement officers to do the same.

Steve Brienen

Danvers

The writer is former McLean County sheriff.