Pubdate: Tue, 08 Mar 2011
Source: Record Searchlight (Redding, CA)
Copyright: 2011 Record Searchlight
Contact:  http://www.redding.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/360
Author: Sharli Haines
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n148/a08.html

CITIZENS SHOULD LISTEN TO LOPEY

I read in the paper Thursday about Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey 
and what he told the Dunsmuir City Council about the 
medical-marijuana laws. Hurrah and thank you for your opinion, 
Sheriff Lopey. I certainly hope the City Council members listened to 
this wise man. I absolutely respect and trust an elected sheriff with 
20 years' experience in this area. His opinion should be listened to 
and followed. Of course he knows the problems: It is his job to clean 
up the mess that marijuana causes.

The medical-marijuana law is not used as intended. The law is a sham 
and shows how stupid the general public can be. This law is just an 
excuse to allow 98 percent of people who have these "215 cards" to 
get "legally" high.

If someone is really sick, really dealing with serious pain or on 
chemo, this drug might be good for some. These really sick folks are 
not driving cars, caring for children or running households. They are 
truly sick and need help as well as care. I see no problem with the 
use of medical marijuana for them.

But, for all those folks who have the "card" because of all the 
excuses they can think up, anxiety, back pain, etc., I sure don't 
want them using this drug and driving cars, caring for children, 
being a nurse in a hospital, etc.

I have personally witnessed two adult males who regularly used 
marijuana and then developed a serious mental problem. In my line of 
work I see many situations where people are using drugs. I have been 
told by many pot smokers, "I just smoke a little pot," but have often 
seen these same folks using other drugs. It is so sad to see nice 
people with potential to do great things ruin their lives with just 
"a little pot."

The medical-marijuana law is just another step in the destruction of 
America. Ask a policeman, sheriff, judge, mental health professional, 
emergency room nurse or doctor, or parent of a child who is now 
mentally ill after using "pot" what their opinion is. If you really 
want an education, go to an AA meeting and ask the "clean" folks what 
the truth about "pot" really is. I think you will be quite surprised.

Sharli Haines, French Gulch
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart