Pubdate: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2006 The Modesto Bee Contact: http://www.modbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/271 Author: F. Aaron Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MARIJUANA CARD MAKES SENSE Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden does not support the county's implementation of the state-mandated medical marijuana ID card program because he fears it creates crime associated with drug use (Aug. 30, Page B-3). His position is ironic because the ID card helps local officers distinguish legitimate patients from those who are abusing our state's medical marijuana law. The ID card proves to be working to reduce unlawful use of medical marijuana in the 21 counties with operating programs. Is Chief Wasden really concerned about upholding public safety, or is he just looking for an excuse to continue harassing sick and dying patients for using therapeutic marijuana in compliance with state law? Sadly, this heartless political grandstanding against a decade-old law approved by the voters is being financed by local taxpayers. Without the medical marijuana ID card program, Stanislaus County law enforcement officers will continue to arrest legitimate medical marijuana patients only to have their cases tossed out of court. Hopefully the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will do the right thing and approve the Health Department's plan to issue the state-mandated ID cards. F. Aaron Smith, Statewide Coordinator Safe Access Now Santa Rosa - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman