CITIZENS SHOULD LISTEN TO LOPEY

I read in the paper Thursday about Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey
and what he told the Dunsmuir City Council about the
medical-marijuana laws. Hurrah and thank you for your opinion,
Sheriff Lopey. I certainly hope the City Council members listened to
this wise man. I absolutely respect and trust an elected sheriff with
20 years' experience in this area. His opinion should be listened to
and followed. Of course he knows the problems: It is his job to clean
up the mess that marijuana causes.

The medical-marijuana law is not used as intended. The law is a sham
and shows how stupid the general public can be. This law is just an
excuse to allow 98 percent of people who have these "215 cards" to
get "legally" high.

If someone is really sick, really dealing with serious pain or on
chemo, this drug might be good for some. These really sick folks are
not driving cars, caring for children or running households. They are
truly sick and need help as well as care. I see no problem with the
use of medical marijuana for them.

But, for all those folks who have the "card" because of all the
excuses they can think up, anxiety, back pain, etc., I sure don't
want them using this drug and driving cars, caring for children,
being a nurse in a hospital, etc.

I have personally witnessed two adult males who regularly used
marijuana and then developed a serious mental problem. In my line of
work I see many situations where people are using drugs. I have been
told by many pot smokers, "I just smoke a little pot," but have often
seen these same folks using other drugs. It is so sad to see nice
people with potential to do great things ruin their lives with just
"a little pot."

The medical-marijuana law is just another step in the destruction of
America. Ask a policeman, sheriff, judge, mental health professional,
emergency room nurse or doctor, or parent of a child who is now
mentally ill after using "pot" what their opinion is. If you really
want an education, go to an AA meeting and ask the "clean" folks what
the truth about "pot" really is. I think you will be quite surprised.

Sharli Haines, French Gulch