EDITORIAL ONE-SIDED, COMPLETELY NEGATIVE

As a medical marijuana patient I am utterly disappointed in your
editorial in opposition to SB 2213. What a one-sided, negative look at
an important issue to many people, whose pain and suffering is eased
by medical marijuana.

Why not look at Oakland and Berkeley, Calif., where the local
government and dispensaries worked in cooperation to craft laws that
are effective, and where a limited number of licensed dispensaries
operate. Neither city has the problems associated with Los Angeles,
because things are tightly regulated.

"Police hate this measure" - well, not all cops. Look at the testimony
submitted for SB 2450, which would decriminalize one ounce of
marijuana. Jack Cole, executive director of Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition, argues in favor of regulation of all drugs, instead of
prohibition which has been a total failure.

Other states, such as Rhode Island, have recently approved licensed
dispensaries. It is important for patients to have safe access to
medicine. Why do the police (and your editors) have to be completely
opposed to this? Why not try to find workable solutions, instead of
throwing obstacles in the way of progress?

Matthew Rifkin

Hilo