THE WHOLE TRUTH WAS HIDDEN IN MARIJUANA TRIAL

There is a deeply disturbing malaise in our justice system.

Recently two patients/providers of medical marijuana, Bryan Epis and Keith
Laden, received mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and 20 years
respectively for growing medicinal marijuana in accord with California
state law -- the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

They were tried and convicted in federal court for violating federal laws
against growing marijuana. They were not allowed to enter testimony about
complying with the California laws, nor mount a medical necessity defense.
The whole truth was never heard.

This is like a murder trial in which crucial information as to how the
victim died is withheld. Was it an accident, or in self defense, or
negligence, or was it deliberate with evil intent. Obviously the
culpability is vastly different depending on the circumstances of the death.

The draconian sentences meted out on these well-intentioned victims make a
mockery of the term justice in the administration of our laws. These trials
resemble the rigged trials of the Soviet era against which we so rightly
railed.

Can we tolerate this form of justice (which has become the hallmark of the
Bush-Ashcroft team) and still pretend to be the land of freedom and justice.

David L. Edwards, Olympia