POT GIVE-AWAY WAS HEARTENING

THE sanctioned distribution of medical marijuana to seriously ill people by
the Santa Cruz City Council (Page 1A, Sept. 18) was the most inspiring act
of direct action by elected officials I have seen in a long time.

While patients across the nation are preparing for more Drug Enforcement
Agency raids on cannabis cooperatives by moving operations underground (or
out in the open as in Santa Cruz), thousands of people are expected to
travel to Sacramento this Monday to protest the federal sentencing of Bryan
Epis. He is the first person to be convicted by federal authorities for
operating the Chico Medical Marijuana Caregivers. At his trial, the jury
was instructed to disregard testimony regarding compliance with California
law or his own medical necessity. He is expected to receive a mandatory
minimum sentence of 10 years.

This witch hunt of the sick and their caregivers is immoral and is the
result of a drug war run amok. Now is the time for people to stand up and
fight back.

Adam Eidinger

Americans for Safe Access

Washington, D.C.