MEDICAL POT BUSINESS SKEWED TOWARD AFFLUENT

To the editor: Soon Flagstaff and all of Arizona will have marijuana
businesses open to the public to provide "pain relief" for the
seriously ill. It is crucial that marijuana dispensaries be monitored
at all times; and that all financial records be transparent and
available to the public. In addition, all owners and employees should
be drug-tested on a regular basis to ensure they are not using the
product illegally, while everyone else needs a medical card.

These businesses are supposed to be nonprofit, but overnight the whole
system has become a "get rich quick" scheme designed for the already
affluent, and sick people will pay through the nose for it -- or the
alternative will be to continue to purchase it illegally at a more
affordable price.

At the same time, people who live 25 miles from a dispensary will be
able to grow their own. This makes no sense -- if some people can grow
their own, everyone should be allowed to.

Marijuana is a relatively harmless substance compared to alcohol and
cigarettes (or fast food for that matter), and should be
decriminalized. This would end illegal dealing and take pressure off
our law enforcement, who already have enough to do without having to
monitor card holders and dispensaries. This would free them to focus
on real criminals and also make space in congested prisons.

JON ANDREWS

Flagstaff