CALL OFF WAR ON THE SICK

The Appeal-Democrat got it exactly right in its June 22 editorial,
"Medical-pot politics." There is no logical or legal basis for
believing that federal law bars state or local officials from issuing
medical marijuana ID cards or taking other actions to ensure orderly
implementation of Proposition 215.

A dozen states have medical marijuana laws, and most have state-run
patient registries and ID card programs. The federal government has
taken no action against government officials implementing these
programs. Not anywhere. Not ever.

What is sad is that Merced and San Diego counties continue their
misbegotten crusade against medical marijuana even as the medical
community becomes increasingly unanimous in recognizing marijuana's
therapeutic value. This February, the 124,000-member American College
of Physicians - the second-largest physician group in the U.S.,
representing doctors of internal medicine - called on the federal
government to reclassify marijuana and permit medical use. The
doctors' group declared, "ACP strongly urges protection from civil or
criminal penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted
under state laws."

The counties pursuing this suit should learn the facts and call off
their war on the sick.

Bruce Mirken

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project