Pubdate: Fri, 18 Nov 2011
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

RAIDS EMPHASIZE NEED FOR COHERENT MARIJUANA REGULATION

Recent Raids of Medical-Marijuana Dispensaries Underscore the Mess of 
Regulations and Rules. It Is Time to Legalize Marijuana, Tax It, 
Clarify the Rules and Provide a Reasonable Regulatory Scheme.

RECENT federal raids of medical-marijuana dispensaries in the Puget 
Sound region highlight in bold relief our disjointed and out-of-touch 
federal and state rules on marijuana.

Few will argue that the U.S. government, which bans marijuana 
entirely, is off base for intervening in drug sales to a gang in 
Chicago, as one affidavit contends.

Obviously, law-enforcement officers have a duty to try to intervene 
in marijuana interstate importation and distribution. 
Medical-marijuana dispensaries have a purpose and, done right, should 
be legal. Federal law-enforcement authorities raided dispensaries 
they believe are acting as fronts for a variety pack of other illegal 
activities.

The raids underscore the mess of regulations and rules. It is time to 
legalize marijuana, tax it, clarify the rules and provide a 
reasonable regulatory scheme.

If sensible regulations were in place, medical-marijuana dispensaries 
would not be importing and exporting marijuana across state lines or 
allowing felons to sell marijuana or illegal narcotics.

There are many lines to draw and numerous safety issues to consider. 
Marijuana should not be legal for those under age 21. It should be 
legal for people who are not well and need marijuana to control their 
pain and suffering and for adults.

U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan, who must enforce draconian federal law on 
marijuana, said: "The truly sick people, doctors, caregivers, we're 
not going to prosecute. They don't have to worry about our 
enforcement action. But people exploiting (medical marijuana) laws 
just to make a lot of money selling drugs, they do have a reason to worry."

Fine, go after alleged criminals abusing the privilege of a 
convoluted state law that allows certain kinds of medical-marijuana 
dispensaries.

Washington voters favor medical-marijuana use. They will likely have 
a chance to decide if they want to go further and legalize marijuana 
for adults, either if a new initiative gathers sufficient signatures 
and is passed by the Legislature, or by voters if the measure comes to them.

What is indisputable is the current system does not work. Millions of 
dollars and untold hours of law-enforcement time are wasted 
prosecuting bit players. Washington needs a more coherent and modern system.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom