MARIJUANA REBUTTAL

I've read Mr. Sims' letters to the editor, and realize that he
obviously has no idea what he is talking about. Voting "no" on 1B,
would be saying "yes to the black market." Whereas medical marijuana
centers are strictly regulated by the state to offer medical
marijuana to patients over 21, street dealers are pushing drugs such
as cocaine, oxycontin, heroin, and speed to our children. These drugs
are not offered to patients at a medical marijuana center.

As far as children getting their hands on a medical marijuana
patient's medicine, I believe that is the parents' responsibility. No
medicine should be accessible to children, marijuana or prescription drugs.

With this in mind, which drugs are more dangerous in the hands of
children, amphetamines (speed), pain killers (opiates),
antidepressants (psychotropic drugs) or marijuana? One can die of an
overdose on just about any prescription drug, while this is not the
case with marijuana. Nevertheless, the National Institute of Drug
Abuse lists prescription narcotics and benzodiazepines as our
nation's drug epidemic.

Oh, and by the way, did you know that the Veterans Administration
will now allow us veterans with medical marijuana cards to resume
care at our hospitals? We in Eagle County are not voting to legalize
marijuana as Mr. Sims would lead the public to believe by quoting
President Obama, but to allow medical marijuana centers to continue
to operate in our county as they have for over a year without
incident, according to our sheriff, Joseph Hoy. The fact is that
medical marijuana centers are strictly regulated by the state and are
the perfect place for these patients to safely access their medicine.

John Michaelson

Edwards, CO Colorado