Pubdate: Sun, 08 Mar 2009 Source: Los Angeles Daily News (CA) Copyright: 2009 Los Angeles Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.dailynews.com/writealetter Website: http://www.dailynews.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/246 Authors: Evelyn Catron, Richard W. Senseman, Judith Soyster, Ellie Doud, Rod Alms, Diana Ruiz, Beverly Heap Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Q&A: MUCH DEBATE ABOUT LEGALITY OF MARIJUANA This Week's Question: Is Relaxing Rules On Marijuana Good For California? POLICE WASTED ON POT CRIME I get the impression, after all these years of its use, that marijuana is considered about on the same level of infraction as drinking alcohol. Done inappropriately - in the wrong time or wrong place - its overuse could cause injury to self or others. If that is a correct conclusion, why should it not be treated as alcohol is - available, taxed, with legal penalties for improper use? This would bring in added revenue and relieve our police of much work, leaving them time to fight criminals who are actually doing us harm. As a matter of fact, this old lady has come to the conclusion that our laws should focus only on behaviors that are harmful to the public. That would eliminate the policing of purchased sex and allow marriages of whomever. EVELYN CATRON Sylmar TAX POT AND GANGS LOSE I do not use pot, alcohol or tobacco. If I had to choose one, I would choose pot, as it is the least damaging to me or society. I see no reason to continue William Randolph Hearst's campaign against it for his profit. Let's get the benefit of regulating and taxing it, as it can solve much of our deficit! Take the money away from the gangs. RICHARD W. SENSEMAN Van Nuys LAW NEEDS TO BE REWORKED What do you have to do to get the coveted medical Advertisement marijuana card? Have money and work the system. Our children are very creative when necessary, involving whoever and whatever they need to get what they want. Please explain just what is a "serious medical condition." This term is used very loosely. California legislators need to go back to the drawing board and give the citizens of California legislation that works for families, instead of deteriorating the very core of this great state. We are missing out on tax revenue in case anybody is paying attention. JUDITH SOYSTER Woodland Hills LET THE STATES DECIDE ON POT It's long seemed more logical to have decisions on medical marijuana dispensaries made by the individual states, as the states can base decisions on what their own constituencies want, or don't want. For the federal government to try and enact a one-size-fits-all decision for all 50 states flies in the face of reason. It does seem to me that medical marijuana should be prescribed only when all other attempts to find a medical solution to health issues have been exhausted. In cases of life-threatening and/or terminal illness, the decision to prescribe marijuana should be made only by a state-licensed and reputable doctor. To prescribe its use for lesser ailments that could be treated with pain management, physical therapy, etc., would be tantamount to legitimizing the use of marijuana for all citizens. And that's an entirely different issue. ELLIE DOUD Van Nuys OUTLAW BEER, DECRIMINALIZE POT I totally agree with the change in policy regarding medical marijuana. However, I don't think it should stop there. Numerous lives are destroyed every day by alcohol. It's considered sociable and generates tax dollars. I have smoked pot before, and I've never heard of someone dying because the other driver was smoking pot or died of liver failure because of pot. Enough of the old thinking already. Make alcohol illegal because it kills and just let the pot smokers be mellow. ROD ALMS West Hills via Dailynews.com FREE UP JAIL FOR REAL CRIMINALS I think marijuana should be legalized, but not just in California. There is a lot of money that can be made, especially in California. They would be able to let go all of the offenders that are in prison or jail for possession, and stop using our tax dollar to board them. That would make room for all the violent offenders. DIANA RUIZ Las Vegas, Nev. via Dailynews.com TRULY "MEDICAL" MARIJUANA OK Though not an advocate for pot, I am in favor of it being administered in a doctor's office only when needed for medical use, so it can be well monitored - not in the hands of users to get high. BEVERLY HEAP Valley Village - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom