BOARD CAVED

Sheriff Gary Penrod believes that "federal law supersedes state law."
(Re: "Brown doesn't end pot debate," Aug. 27.) Even though he is not
a lawyer, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors considers
Penrod's legal advice superior to those of California State Attorney
General Jerry Brown, the multitude of attorneys advising Los Angeles,
Santa Barbara, Orange and Imperial counties and two state courts -
all of which have declared that federal law does not supersede
California's medical marijuana laws.

Sheriff Penrod goads the board to appeal the lawsuit the county has
lost twice on their discredited federal/state grounds so his deputies
can continue to arrest, handcuff and jail legitimate medical marijuana
patients.

That the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors continues to genuflect
before law enforcement is par for the course for arguably the most
corrupt county in California. Although 45 medical marijuana proponents
asked the board on Aug. 12 to stop wasting taxpayer money on their
malicious lawsuit to have Proposition 215 declared unconstitutional,
the Board of Supervisors' fear of the 800-pound, law-enforcement
gorilla waiting in the backroom overcame their responsibility to
uphold California law and to protect the health and welfare of San
Bernardino County residents.

Lanny Swerdlow

Registered nurse, THCF Medical Clinic, Riverside