Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jun 2009
Source: Times-Herald, The (Vallejo, CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Times-Herald
Contact:  http://www.timesheraldonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/993
Author: Bruce Castillo

IGNORING THE LAW

It is disturbing to read the news that cities like  Benicia and 
Fairfield are attempting to skirt the law  (Proposition 215) by 
placing phony moratoriums to deny  medical marijuana dispensaries in 
their cities.

Let me get this straight. This law was passed five  years ago by a 
large majority of voters, yet the  politicians and civic leaders 
don't agree with it, so  they can just ignore it. You and I are 
expected to adhere to all laws (which we do), even if we don't 
like  them. Solano County is being sued because it has  draggged its 
feet and has not established an ID card  system as required by law.

Why do the politicians always talk about upholding the  will of the 
voters, but not in this case? Our leaders  are out of touch and way 
behind the times. Sick people  should have a right to medicine that 
can improve their  quality of life -- not to mention how regulation 
and  taxing medical marijuana could bring in much needed  revenue to 
our bankrupt city.

I have e-mailed Barbara Kondylis and Stephanie Gomes  regarding 
answers why our city and county are not  complying with the law. I 
chose them because I agree  with most of their views and they seem 
like they want  to help the average Joe citizen. It's been more than 
a month and I have no replies. I can only think either  they don't 
care or it's a political hot potato they  don't want to touch.

The anti-Proposition 215 crowd likes to trot out their  so-called 
experts to convince us medical marijuana has  no medicinal value. 
What they don't say is these "experts" are few and far  between. 
Doctors overwhelmingly believe marijuana has  positive properties 
that can make their patients' lives  more comfortable. Why do you 
think they are writing all  these prescriptions in the first place?

It's sickening that a few mean-spirited morons running  our city and 
county are ignoring the law at the expense  of sick people.

Bruce Castillo

Vallejo
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