MEDICAL MARIJUANA STORY WAS A BIT, WELL, CLOUDY

In response to your article "Smokin' issue," appearing in the Dec. 2
/CityLife/, I would like to make the following points:

First, I would like to make it clear that my client, Pierre Werner,
has not lost his medical marijuana card. His license has not been
revoked. Werner is still enrolled in the program and is afforded all
laws and privileges pursuant to NRS 453A, including the right to
possess, deliver or produce marijuana in excess of the amount described.

While it is true that NRS 453A permits a medicinal marijuana patient
to grow four mature plants and three immature plants, the statute
clearly provides an exception. The problem is the law-enforcement
agencies seem to ignore this exception. Werner's physician has
recommended that Werner produce up to 99 mature plants. This gives
Werner the ability to produce a year supply of medicine, so he doesn't
have to revert to the streets.

Law-enforcement agencies are refusing to accept this argument and are
still pushing to charge Werner with felony possession and intent to
sell. A trial date has not been set, but it is expected to go forward
within the next few months.

Second, I would like to point out that Werner was not granted his
license because he is bipolar. Werner was enrolled in the program
because he suffers from other chronic, debilitating symptoms that may
or may not be related to his bipolar symptoms.

Finally, while Mr. Bruce Mirken is correct in saying that the Supreme
Court's ruling will not affect Nevada's marijuana laws, a ruling
against Angel Raich will give federal agents the power to go after
sick people who use homegrown marijuana with their doctors' permission
and their states' approval. For marijuana patients, that's about as
scary as the Patriot Act is to all citizens of these United States.

Ryan Morthier

Las Vegas