IT AIN'T 'MEDICINE'

Last Wednesday at the Avon library, I hosted a medical marijuana forum
presented by Sgt. Jim Gerhardt and Commander Jerry Peters, members of
the Colorado Drug Investigators Association.

As members of the North Metro Drug Task Forces and active narcotics
officers, they gave a very informative presentation on the laws,
policies and what is happening in Colorado on this subject. Everyone
attending left the room (both pros and cons) with a very clear idea of
what is coming to Eagle County and which way they are going to vote.
It was a great turnout.

Thanks to both sides of the issue for attending and having an
excellent session without name calling and with respect for all. Even
our presenters said our group was very informed and most civil on this
hot topic.

Kevin Sabet, special adviser for policy at the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy, said on Sept. 24 that marijuana is a
dangerous drug which causes documented health and social problems and
should not be subject to voter approval for its use. I agree with Mr.
Sabet.

It is a travesty to have us vote in Eagle County on 1B and then let
the county commissioners make the final call. It doesn't sound like a
vote of the people. Is this how business is done in Eagle County?

Mr. Sabet further said, "Marijuana cannot be the one exception in the
history of the world that doesn't go through a scientific process to
be approved as medicine."

He told the Montana Supreme Court administrator's annual drug court
conference in Helena: "It doesn't make any sense. How can we imagine
that a dangerous, illegal drug like marijuana should be voted on by
the people? That's not how we do medicine in this country."

Sabet said the Justice Department memo has been "widely
misinterpreted" by the media and proponents of legalizing marijuana
and "that it does not give marijuana growers or suppliers a blank
check to produce pot in states with medical marijuana programs."

Sabet said he believes medical marijuana programs are part of a
strategy to legalize marijuana and that the Obama administration is
staunchly opposed to legalization.

Even in Eagle County, "medicine" is not smoked per the Shaw Regional
Cancer Center spokesman, Vice President Joe Deuschle, and further
supported by U.S. National Drug Control Policy Director Gil
Kerlikowske, President Obama's "drug czar," who says medical marijuana
is not "medicine".

Ballot issue 1B is not about providing medical marijuana for a very
small number of real patients in Eagle County. It is about getting a
better drug foothold in Eagle County and Colorado to push pot onto the
public.

Most of the residents in Eagle County ski or snowboard, ride bikes,
hike and enjoy the outdoor activities with their families close
behind. They do not smoke pot with their kids.

Do not get taken in by this pot crowd that they must be allowed pot
stores for the sale of their "medicine." It is not "medicine" or it
would be sold across drug store counters. Think about one national
agency position: The American Medical Association recommends that
marijuana remain a Schedule I controlled illegal federal substance.

If we vote "no" on 1B, patients with medical marijuana permits can
continue to legally grow their own marijuana at home or have it
delivered for free from Boulder. What example are we showing our kids
to allow these pot shops near our churches, schools and in downtown
Edwards within 200 feet of the post office? The voters in Eagle County
need to stand up and be counted on ballot issue 1B and vote "no" to
send a clear message to our county commissioners and community that we
do not need pot shops in our faces!

As a resident of Edwards who served in the Marine Corps infantry and
later as an Air Force pilot during three wars, I am encouraging every
Eagle County voter to "just say no to 1B"! Semper Fi.

Buddy Sims

Edwards