MARIJUANA CARD MAKES SENSE

Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden does not support the county's
implementation of the state-mandated medical marijuana ID card
program because he fears it creates crime associated with drug use
(Aug. 30, Page B-3).

His position is ironic because the ID card helps local officers
distinguish legitimate patients from those who are abusing our
state's medical marijuana law. The ID card proves to be working to
reduce unlawful use of medical marijuana in the 21 counties with
operating programs.

Is Chief Wasden really concerned about upholding public safety, or
is he just looking for an excuse to continue harassing sick and
dying patients for using therapeutic marijuana in compliance with
state law? Sadly, this heartless political grandstanding against a
decade-old law approved by the voters is being financed by local taxpayers.

Without the medical marijuana ID card program, Stanislaus County law
enforcement officers will continue to arrest legitimate medical
marijuana patients only to have their cases tossed out of court.

Hopefully the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will do the
right thing and approve the Health Department's plan to issue the
state-mandated ID cards.

F. Aaron Smith, Statewide Coordinator

Safe Access Now

Santa Rosa