Pubdate: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2007 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Contact: http://www.sgvtribune.com/writealetter Website: http://www.sgvtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3725 Author: Mark Hughes END FEDERAL INTERVENTION Your editorial says it's "hard to blame" feds for intervening against unregulated medical marijuana dispensaries. But the feds assert that even the most ethical provider dispensing medical marijuana to the most suffering patient is no different than a common drug dealer, so the raids would continue even in a stringently regulated environment. Indeed, the DEA raided five dispensaries in West Hollywood, despite the fact that the city was making a good-faith effort to regulate them. You dismissed the increased use of medical marijuana as attributable to "rampant abuse." While there may be people fraudulently obtaining medical marijuana, scientific research has found widespread efficacy, including for illnesses that encompass a large patient community (such as Hepatitis C). The flier distribution incident you claim proves widespread illicit use appears to be an isolated incident best handled by local officials, not armed federal intervention. Indeed, the heavy hand of the federal government has actually discouraged local regulation of dispensaries. You are correct that Proposition 215 should be administered. The best way to accomplish this is to end federal intervention, not excuse it. Mark Hughes Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake