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