In response to your editorial "Bad dope" (Oct. 24): You suggest
that San Francisco and San Mateo counties are studying whether
they should let cops distribute marijuana to patients. I do not
speak for San Francisco, but that was never the intent of San
Mateo County, nor of my memo to the Board of Supervisors on the matter.
I suggested that our Health Department, including our county
hospital and four clinics, which have pharmacies, distribute
marijuana as they would any other drug.

I further suggested using confiscated marijuana from police cases
booked for evidence. County pharmacists are available to
determine that it is good, fresh marijuana. This would remove the
need for cultivation and the profit motive from the issue.

What might work in San Mateo County could be the answer in all 58
counties of the state. The law (Proposition 215) only dealt with
legality, not cultivation or distribution of the substance. I
will be meeting with Attorney General Dan Lungren on this
suggestion on Nov.14.

Marijuana should be available to those few in our society who
qualify and are aided by its use. I believe this proposal makes sense.

Mike Nevin, President
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
Redwood City, CA