POOR EXCUSES FOR POT

Re: your July 11 editorial, "Pot Catch-22 on the docket":

I have been a deputy sheriff for approximately 16 years now and in
that time I have spent 4 1/2 years in the narcotic unit of our department.

During my time in narcotics, I have seen approximately 100 to 150
subjects who have had a doctor's note stating they should use
marijuana to help their illness or injuries. Doctors cannot legally
give prescriptions for marijuana, so they give doctor notes.

On one occasion, an 18-year-old gave me a doctor's note when I found
him in possession of marijuana. When I asked what his illness was, he
told me that he had asthma. A 27-year-old man once told me he had
marijuana and a doctor's note because he had bronchitis.

Out of all the subjects I have seen with doctor's notes, only one
subject was sick enough to justify smoking marijuana and he had AIDS
because he was a heroin addict. The most common answer for having a
note is they have back pain.

I have lost a grandfather, a grandmother and a mother to cancer. I was
too young to remember when my mother or grandfather died, but I
watched my strong, healthy, 140-pound grandmother waste away to 75
pounds. I would have done anything to lessen her pain during her last
days of her life. If people like my grandmother or legitimately ill
people were the only ones who were using doctor notes, Proposition 215
would be fine. But it's not. I am quoting from The Star's Sunday
editorial: "The Star supported Proposition 215 and hopes the Supreme
Court rules for common sense."

When are California voters going to get it: Marijuana is an illegal
substance that has been proved in some cases to lead to stronger drugs
like methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. The majority of Proposition
215 users are just like the 18-year-old who smokes marijuana to help
his asthma. Tell me, who needs to use common sense?

Carlos Macias,

Camarillo