COUNCIL NOT HIGH ON MEDICAL POT ... IDEA

The city council will take no steps to legalize marijuana in Cody,
despite an ailing citizen's request.

A man who addressed the council only as "Mr. E. Green" said via
letter his symptoms from gastritis, dyspepsia and irritable bowel
syndrome are most effectively treated with marijuana.

"Out of a strong desire to feel better and alleviate some of my
family's concern for my failing health, I have subjected myself to
many unpleasant treatments," he wrote.

"I figured that if many health care professionals around the world,
including my personal digestive specialist, felt that marijuana was
worth suggesting, it might be worth a try," he wrote.

The man said that since he began using marijuana about two years ago,
he's become healthier.

"I hate that my government considers me a criminal for attempting to
better my health by using a God-given herb," he wrote. "Even more
detestable to me is the fact that my government has seen fit to usurp
the authority of the only authority Giver."

The man said marijuana "falls into the category of a seed-bearing
herb provided by our Creator (Genesis 1:11-13, 3:18, 9:3)."

The man said he's considered moving to Montana or Colorado to be able
to obtain marijuana legally but loves Wyoming.

"Green" asks the council to advocate for a state rule-change and
tackle city ordinance for a "compassionate medical marijuana law."

The man said he received a "cold shoulder, to put it lightly" from
state lawmakers.

"One Rep./Sen. from Sheridan said I should lose my children and I
should be castrated," he wrote. "Another individual did say that he
respected Cody's elected officials and convincing you would go a long
way in the state's eyes."

"Green" seeks removal of criminal penalties for possession of medical
marijuana in Cody.

The seven-page letter, which he indicated he wrote "under the
influence," ended with a page of references.

"There's nothing we as a city can do about this," Mayor Nancy Tia
Brown said Thursday during a council discussion of the idea.

The city has ordinances against marijuana possession and possession
of drug paraphernalia, which generally applies to marijuana pipes.

"Even if we repealed it, state law is still there," City Attorney
Scott Kolpitcke said. "It's still an offense punishable by jail time."

Kopitcke advised the city against trying to write exemptions for
medical marijuana, which would go against state and federal laws.

Alternately, the city council could direct the police to stop
arresting people they find have marijuana and a prescription for it.

"That doesn't mean they're not violating state law," Kopitcke said.
"You're just telling police not to enforce it."

Without a law on the books to back up such a policy, the police are
in an unfair situation replete with complications, he said.

"You can have people claiming unequal treatment," he said. "It opens
up a whole can of worms, and it's more of a state law issue."

The council decided on an official response of: "This is something
not appropriate for us to approach on this level, and he needs to
approach his state legislator."