WRONG ALL THE WAY AROUND ON MARIJUANA

Medical marijuana is legal in nine states. Nevada is one of seven
states whose voters decided overwhelmingly in favor of allowing
marijuana use for the sick under particular conditions.

In early June 2005, by overturning the decision of individual states,
the U.S. Supreme Court deliberately ignored the 10th Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution which grants individual states the right to make
such decisions for themselves. The highest court in the land
purposely disregarded the will of the people, who voiced their choice
at the polling booths and for that, a voting nation should take them
to task. If the feds think nothing of overriding this states' right -
and get away with it - they will also think nothing of violating any
other states' right that suits their fancy. Regardless of how one
feels about the subject matter, we are treading on dangerous ground
when the highest court in the land circumvents the Constitution to
deny 10th Amendment rights and the voting voice of the people.

While Nevada's other federal representatives honored the choice
Nevada voters made, Rep. Jim Gibbons thumbed his nose at his own
constituents by siding with the government - as usual. Comments he
made to the press in response to the high court's decision contained
medical misinformation and disregard for the constitutional process.
During his campaigns, he makes much to do about being a state's
rights supporter but he fails to "walk the walk" when it comes time
to support his state, rather than kiss up to those who can assist him
in getting ahead.

Medical marijuana is not an issue of drug abuse, but rather a law of
compassion embraced by voters to ease the suffering of many with
medical conditions for which marijuana brings significant relief. It
is a senior issue as well, as good health is more difficult to hang
on to as we become older. Gibbons would do well to come down from his
high horse and visit hospitals and hospices and educate himself
before he condemns something he may someday need and want for himself
or someone he loves. He is apparently too busy climbing the political
ladder and making decisions that will curry favor with the current
administration than upholding the will of the people.

A person condoning prosecution of the sick and treating them like
criminals, despite the overwhelming voice of Nevada voters, is
certainly not the person I want sitting in the governor's chair.
Hopefully, Nevada voters will remember his self-serving agenda and
toe-stubbing mistakes when it comes time to choose our next governor.

JESSI WINCHESTER

Carson City