MUCH ADO ABOUT MARIJUANA

Re "The DEA's rent control," editorial July 19

Bravo to The Times for calling the Drug Enforcement Administration's
educational letters what they were -- threats. As the attorney for
one of the marijuana collectives recently raided, there was a brief
moment of hope when the Los Angeles County district attorney's office
upheld the law of California and refused to file any charges
regarding edible marijuana. Less than a month later, and just before
the city of Los Angeles was supposed to institute a moratorium on
opening any dispensaries, the DEA sent threatening letters to
landlords that have resulted in numerous evictions, including that of
my client.

If only the federal government would focus this resolve to subvert
the will of the voters here on finding Osama bin Laden. Then again,
it's safer to chase medicinal marijuana patients.

DAVID S. KESTENBAUM

Van Nuys