GO AFTER FORGERS, NOT POT CLUB

Regarding "'Good people who ... need it' protest Rx pot arrests"
(Sept. 30, Page A-1) about people protesting the arrest of local
cannabis club owners for alleged illegal distribution of medicinal
marijuana: Much like the protesters, I feel that shutting down the
club unfairly punishes law-abiding patients in need of the drug.

One of the main reasons the Drug Enforcement Agency shut down the
club was that patients were buying the drug with fake prescriptions,
then illegally reselling to others. I agree that those engaged in
such activities should be dealt with accordingly, but I feel we
should deal with those individuals as the problem, not the club.

If a person were to somehow pass off a fake prescription for Valium
at a local pharmacy, then illegally resell the drug on the street,
the DEA wouldn't shut down the pharmacy. If the DEA keeps shutting
down clubs, many patients who need the drug for relief might turn to
illegal sources.

It's been proven time and again that marijuana has medicinal
properties, and we shouldn't punish the good people who truly need it.

MICHAEL P. ELIZONDO

Salida