COUNCIL SHOWS ITS COMPASSION

When the West Hollywood City Council approved a loan to the Los
Angeles Cannabis Resource Center in West Hollywood ("West Hollywood
gives money to cannabis center," Sept. 10), it used the power of
government for one of the best purposes: to nurture the welfare of
those who live in the community.

Although there is conflict between state and federal law regarding the
legality of administering marijuana to patients whose doctors
recommend the drug, there is no conflict in the morality of dispensing
the drug to those who have seen people suffer.

The ability to loan money is a power that government does not use
often enough. It allows the public sector to work with the private
sector in a productive, low-cost manner. A government loan is
preferable to government spending in most cases when both options are
available.

Here is an instance in which a government loan shows West Hollywood
should be known as a compassionate city.

Michael L. Stempel,
West Hollywood