MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS SHOULDN'T BE SEEN AS CRIMINALS

"We investigate marijuana as a drug. It's not a medicine. If they have
a medical marijuana card, then they can explain it to the judge."

This comment by Detective Sgt. Steve Morris in Nicholas Grube's March
13 story, "Funds to fight pot crops doubled," seems to advance the
notion that those who remain within growing guidelines and who have
legitimate medical recommendations (which are required by the law), or
even the additional cards provided by the county health departments
(which are not required by the law) will be considered criminals by
law enforcement.

Make this comparison: A person with a legitimate need and a doctor's
prescription may have many drugs that would be, otherwise, illegal.
Should those people have to "explain it to the judge" regardless of
their medical prescription? Why should people who (and I reiterate)
remain within growing guidelines, who have legitimate medical
recommendations, or the additional cards provided by the county health
departments be considered criminals by law enforcement?

Is this practice and the blusterous language used by local law
enforcement what is required to get money to prosecute actual
criminals, such as those polluting the national forests with chemical
fertilizers or leaking diesel into the watersheds? There is more than
enough work for law enforcement without threatening medicinal cannabis
patients.

Pat Gargaetas

Crescent City