MEDICAL POT PROGRAM CRITIC IS OUT OF LINE

Why is Kevin Mannix worried about the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Program? He stated, "Legislative policy makers need to ... look at
where we are headed."

In 2005, HB5077 took the $900,000 surplus generated by the OMMP and
distributed it to the general fund. This year, SB581 took another
$168,286. This indicates that policymakers have already decided where
they are headed. The OMMP provides new and innovative ways to
generate the money this state needs.

If Mr. Mannix is really interested in fighting crime, tax and
regulate cannabis for all adults over the age of 21. Remove the
Schedule 1 classification for marijuana that is higher than
methamphetamine and heroin. Start sending the criminals to jail who
commit violent crimes. "In 2007, 872,721 were arrested for marijuana
in the United States while only 597,447 were arrested for violent
crime?" Is this not a waste of resources?

Neighbors and local police have no problems with the new Oregon NORML
Cannabis Cafe. With over 24,000 patients in Oregon, places are needed
to meet socially and receive medication donated by other patients.
Until the State of Oregon has a program to distribute our medicine,
we are doing the best we can to supply our patients with legal medication.

James Hickam, executive director of Oregon NORML, Salem Chapter,
Salem