APPALLING POT IGNORANCE

Lt. Tim George's ignorance concerning medical marijuana (Mail
Tribune, Aug. 7) is appalling, as is his condescending attitude
towards thousands of Oregonians who rely on this medicine.

His ridicule of the possession limits and of such legitimate maladies
as chronic pain is wholly inappropriate. But what can we expect from
folks who get their medical information from the DEA?

As one who has worked statewide on medical marijuana issues, I assure
you that medical marijuana is not laughed "out of the room" in all
Oregon cop shops. Most professional law enforcement officials accept
the revised law and understand the "bright line" it draws for all
parties. Only in Oregon's "deep south" is commentary like George's common.

Selling marijuana is forbidden under the law, so if Dep. Fagan knows
of persons selling it, he should have no problem proving it in court.
But where are these cases?

As appalling as this display of collective, willful ignorance is,
worse is their apparent distaste for having to do their real job,
protecting law-abiding citizens from attacks by criminals. Blaming
law-abiding citizens for having items of value instead of working to
apprehend the criminals who steal them is despicable. But it is easier.

Laird Funk

Williams