Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jul 2015 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2015 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Author: Michael Haworth Page: A11 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n389/a06.html MARIJUANA LAWS Regarding "Pot foes fight industry with racketeering law" (Business, July 14): Anti-marijuana forces think they've discovered a new way to stop the spread of legal pot, using the federal government's listing marijuana as a Schedule l narcotic as the primary tool. As a Schedule 1 narcotic, the feds conclude the drug has no redeeming social value. So far, one Colorado pot shop has closed due to the threat of a lawsuit by a Washington anti-crime group. This action has been called frivolous by Colorado Rep. Jonathan Singer, and it may well be. But to ensure the safety of burgeoning marijuana businesses, the Sens. Cory Booker, Rand Paul and Kirsten Gillibrand sponsored bill, Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act of 2015 (Carers Act) must be passed. It will re-classify marijuana as a Schedule ll narcotic, allowing research without the threat of federal intervention. It will ensure that state laws cannot be overruled by federal law. And, because marijuana has been shown to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it will allow Veterans Health Administration doctors to prescribe it to veterans. Ironically, the organization pushing for closure is called Safe Streets Alliance. Safe streets is the last thing we'll have if marijuana shops close. Michael Haworth, Vallejo - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom