Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jan 2000
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2000 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/man/opinion/letters.html
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Author: Ron Drioane, Vice Chair Fresno County Libertarian Party

ARTICLE MISSED POINT

Last week's article on medical marijuana missed most of the important
issues. You mentioned that sheriffs of several counties requested more
specific guidelines on implementation of Proposition 215 but completely
ignored that their interest was due to the pressure from Steve Kubby's
formation of American Medical Marijuana Association and its campaign to get
just such guidelines enacted.

You also ignore the conspiracy of law enforcement at local, state and
federal levels trying to thwart the will of California voters by targeting
medical marijuana activists for arrest and prosecution. I suppose it's big
news that sheriffs, under pressure to enforce the law, have finally
requested aid.

Police kept watch on Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Steve Kubby for
six months before arresting him. During that time, they found no evidence
of marijuana sales, yet despite medical medical documentation to support
his legal cultivation and use of marijuana he was charged with possession
with intent to sell.

Why isn't it news when a federal court brings a death sentence down on
Peter McWilliams, a man with cancer and AIDS, despite his good faith
reliance on law? This activists/author had to plea bargain when his judge
informed him he could not rely on Proposition 215 to defend his possession
charges. Now this law-abiding citizen faces five years (his life) in person
for doing nothing illegal according to a state law mandated over three
years ago.

Ron Drioane, Vice Chair Fresno County Libertarian Party
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