POT DISPENSARIES

Editor: I am writing to challenge the Merced County Board of
Supervisors and Merced City Council to show that they really have
some compassion and understanding along with good leadership skills
by removing the ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in Merced County.

I am not asking for it to be legalized like tobacco. I ask the city
to look at the fact that they and the county are having massive
budget problems, are forced to lay off teachers and police officers
and cut programs.

Despite the reasons put forth for not allowing a medical dispensary,
here are the facts:

Property values are already at an all-time low.

The feds have declared cannabis dispensaries OK and they won't raid
ones following state law.

And everyone knows how the crime in the Valley is.

Please remove the ban, so cannabis can be brought here immediately.

There are no cannabis dispensaries in more than 1,000 square miles.
One cannabis club in the Bay Area can net more than $300,000 in taxes
to the local government within a few months.

Imagine what we could do here with a cannabis club and no
competition. All that extra tax money could pay for more police,
teachers, roads and other programs. Please follow your heart and the
law. Let us have safe and affordable access to cannabis as the law allows.

SAMUEL MATTHEWS

Merced