RIDDLED WITH MISINFORMATION

This is in response to The News article "Busted indoor pot farm" (Oct.
11), which was riddled with marijuana misinformation.

Authorities said growing marijuana hydroponically makes it more
potent. Hydroponics is simply a growing method. It in no way increases
the potency of marijuana or any other plant. Breeding and genetics can
increase potency and quality, but the growing method itself has no
bearing on the potency of the final product.

Authorities also claimed hydroponic marijuana is responsible for
organized crime, home invasions, armed robberies, arsons and
homicides. So, the growing method is responsible for all that? Now, I
have heard it all. Why not throw child molestation and wife beating in
there, too? Doing so couldn't possibly make that statement any less
believable.

Prohibition is the reason for the majority of crime around any illicit
substance. If you support prohibition, you support crime. You support
the drug dealers. Refusing to control and regulate the drug market
enables all of this crime.

If Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale wants to talk about gateway
theories, prohibition is the gateway to crime.

Hale said of the operation, "It would be impressive if it was a
legitimate business." So, why not legitimize it and collect taxes to
build the dome, pay off the sewer debt and use police resources to go
after all those murderers in the Birmingham area? Why not grow
marijuana for those suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain,
multiple sclerosis and a whole host of other painful conditions that
marijuana is good medicine for?

Loretta Nall

Executive director Alabamians for Compassionate Care

Alexander City