Pubdate: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 Source: Record, The (Stockton, CA) Copyright: 2011 The Record Contact: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=A_OPINION05 Website: http://www.recordnet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428 Author: Gary Armstrong POT DISPENSARIES ARE CRAZY The California Attorney General's Office received a proposed initiative titled, "Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012." The purpose of the initiative is to amend the Health and Safety Code sections dealing with THC and CBD. It would decriminalize marijuana sales, distribution, possession, use cultivation, processing and transportation by a person 21 or older. Really? Still think it's for medical purposes? Just recently it was a bad week for the California's domestic marijuana cartels. Fresno County banned medical marijuana clinics. Kern County banned medical marijuana clinics. San Joaquin County supervisors passed an ordinance banning shop-front medical marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated county. Bakersfield's so-called marijuana storefronts were banned. Richmond extended its marijuana moratorium. An Oceanside judge ordered dispensaries closed. And Tulare County ordered a pot dispensary to shut down. They get it. How come Stockton doesn't? Stockton is a great city, but too bad its leaders are pedestrian at best. With all the issues facing the city - crime out of control, homicides escalating and gangs running unchecked - city leaders couldn't stop the domestic marijuana cartels in our city. Really? This is just what Stockton needs, additional opportunities for robberies and other crimes around the issue of so called medical marijuana? You read every day about medical pot stolen, gunmen robbing marijuana dispensaries and even thieves creating a fake pot dispensary and robbed the marijuana courier. Reducing crime is everyone's responsibility, and it should start with the City Council. Gary Armstrong past president, California Narcotic Officer's Association - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom