CRAVEN DRUG BUSTS

There is a lot of truth in Dan Bernstein's tongue-in-cheek July 29
column ("DEAsy pickings"). International drug cartels are no doubt
thrilled with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's efforts to
force California's medical marijuana patients into the hands of street dealers.

To me, it is not clear how helping organized crime maintain a
monopoly on the sale and distribution of marijuana benefits
taxpayers. Granted, busting medical marijuana dispensaries is easy.
Many are listed in the phone book, and cancer and AIDS patients don't
put up a violent struggle when confronted by gun-toting
paramilitaries with DEA-emblazoned bulletproof vests. Taking medicine
away from sick patients no doubt presents fewer occupational hazards
than taking on drug kingpins.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.