TAKE ISSUE OFF THE TABLE

Re: Medical marijuana

If I am not mistaken, medical marijuana is regulated by the federal
government. Should users and supporters of medical marijuana be
unhappy with any aspect of the current legalized form of medical
marijuana, they have the option of expressing their concerns to their
duly elected federal member of Parliament and the federal governmental
department responsible.

Why are some councillors of Grand Forks insistent upon dragging the
entire town into this controversial issue whether the local
residents/taxpayers like it or not? A councillor informed me that the
Economic Development Task Force intends to establish a medical
marijuana grow op here in Grand Forks. Dissenting points of view will
not be heard. What kinds of businesses will Grand Forks welcome to
its community, supported by resident's tax dollars? We have already
financially supported the panel discussion, and the grow op likely
will be seeking seed money to get established. Will our policing and
fire expenses increase? Where will it set up shop?

For the last seven months, my neighbourhood has endured the presence
of a drug house. (Thankfully, it has finally moved.) Do I want a grow
op, legal or otherwise, in my community? No. Do I feel threatened by
the ramifications of this project. Yup.

And no, David Janzen, I am not a fool. I also have experienced
extreme pain, but found other methods of dealing with it without
resorting to the use of marijuana (change of diet, life style,
prescription medications, time and sheer determination). Marijuana is
not necessarily the end all, be all, cure all for all that ails you.
A few may choose to use it for personal reasons and with varying results.

I applaud the Gazette's editorial, "Health care needs attention."
(June 24) Perhaps council should turn its attention and city finances
to concepts in that article that would benefit all residents/taxpayers
rather than the personal projects of a very vocal and determined few.

Sylvia Treptow,
Grand Forks

(Ed. Note: Coun. Joy Davies told the Gazette the Economic Development Task
Force is not currently considering a recommendation to start a medical
marijuana grow op in Grand Forks and has no committee considering such an
initiative.)