Pubdate: Sun, 15 Dec 2013
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR)
Copyright: 2013 Lee Enterprises
Contact: https://gazettetimes-dot-com.bloxcms.com/app/forms/contact/letters/
Website: http://www.gazettetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2976
Authors: Matt Bechtel and Greg Bechtel
Note: Brothers Matt and Greg Bechtel operate Albany Alternative
Health Solutions, http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n574/a02.html
LAW ENFORCEMENT'S POT CLAIMS INACCURATE
We'd like to thank Mr. Odegard and Mr. Hall for their outstanding
article in the Dec. 1 edition of the Democrat-Herald and Gazette-Times.
While not affiliated, we do wish the gentlemen they referenced in
Corvallis the best of luck with their dispensary project.
We cannot, however, allow the letter to the paper from law
enforcement officials to stand ("Don't let Oregon turn into
California," Dec. 1).
We have tried repeatedly to work with law enforcement to address
their concerns and ensure dispensaries operating in Albany set the
standard for professionalism, safety and compliance.
We expect to be held under scrutiny and will not deviate from the
letter and intent of the law while providing patients safe access,
not profiting from selling marijuana.
Law enforcement's response continues to be smokers of medical
marijuana are alcoholic, fraudulent drug-abusers with potential
mental problems, irresponsible lifestyles, and no chronic illnesses.
We don't understand why, as this simply isn't the case. Consider a
few of their key points:
"'Substantial pain' is the nebulous medical condition listed." Is law
enforcement saying it is dubious that patients asking to receive pain
medication check the box "pain"? Consider that 15,368 Oregon Medical
Marijuana Program patients (26 percent) cite "persistent muscle
spasms, including but not limited to those caused by MS," in addition
to checking the box for "substantial pain." Misrepresentation of
facts does not further law enforcement's argument, and patient
applications have nothing to do with dispensaries.
"The average user of smoked medical marijuana has no chronic illness
. ." What credentials does law enforcement have that make them
qualified to dispute patients' physicians? Remember, you cannot get a
card without a medical doctor's recommendation. It is a long,
expensive process that includes registering your personal information
with the state. According to law enforcement, marijuana is already
readily available on a thriving black market without the red tape of
getting an OMMP card, so why bother lying to put yourself on a list
that's available to law enforcement? All that aside, this also has
nothing to do with dispensaries.
"... with a history of alcohol and drug abuse." The "average" person
who has registered for an OMMP card is not only a fraud but also a
drug addict and alcoholic?! Ignoring the obviously offensive nature
of this claim, it still just makes no sense. You can't even get a
card if you've been convicted within the last five years.
Anecdotally, among the hundreds of people we've met over the years
with the OMMP, we have never met an alcoholic or drug addict,
including a marijuana addict. According to a 1999 Federal Institute
of Medicine study, less than 10 percent of those who try marijuana
meet the clinical criteria for dependence, while 32 percent of
tobacco and 15 percent of alcohol users do
(http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/10-facts-about-marijuana). This
still has nothing to do with dispensaries
Fear-mongering, fact-deficient arguments do nothing to further the
conversation. We aren't arguing the benefits or risks of marijuana
(that conversation stopped in 1998), we just want a safe place to
acquire our voter- and doctor-approved medication under the scrutiny
of law enforcement. Why does law enforcement continue to demand
dispensaries operate as speakeasies?
There is a better way and we welcome the day law enforcement wants to
be professionals and address the real issues. Prohibition of legal
organizations that welcome oversight encourages black markets.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom