Patrick and Beth Collins didn't want to get their daughter high. They wanted to get her well. "They wanted to get her CBD oil." So begins John Hudak's case description within The Brookings Institute's examination last month of "The Medical Marijuana Mess." The Collinses had discovered a substance that might provide help for their daughter, but their government - at both federal and state levels - told them she was not allowed to have it. With its injunctions against medical marijuana, our government keeps patients sick. It also keeps its constituents ignorant. The fact that marijuana's therapeutic effects are supported by hundreds, indeed thousands of years of effective treatments around the globe has not sufficed to get it removed from government prohibition. [continues 594 words]
Editor: Last night, Wyoming PBS TV sponsored a discussion from an advocate, a medical physician, a city mayor and a law enforcement official, concerning the legalization of medical marijuana. Many semantics were brought out whereas the real issue was evaded. What is at issue is God almighty in America, the U.S. dollar and its bondage or worship between the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA. Marijuana is an herb and herbs in America are not processed by the FDA because politicians are not concerned by what a person may grow in his backyard, excepting for marijuana. [continues 148 words]
CHEYENNE - Another statewide organization has come out against a possible ballot initiative that would legalize medical marijuana in Wyoming. The Wyoming Medical Society recently published a position paper opposing the proposal. The organization counts more than 700 physicians and physician assistants across the state as its members. It announced its opposition citing concerns that legalizing medical marijuana at the state level would subvert the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's drug approval process. "The WMS opposes legalization of medical marijuana outside of the regulatory process of the (FDA), recognizing however that marijuana may be an option for cannabinoid administration for children and adults with life-limiting or severely debilitating conditions for whom current therapies are inadequate," said Sigsbee Duck, president of the group's board of directors, in a statement. [continues 421 words]
THE ISSUE: Medical marijuana is in the news as Wyoming law officers have launched a campaign to fight a petition seeking its legalization. WE BELIEVE: While we remain opposed to recreational marijuana, we believe medical marijuana should be available in the state. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Contact us via email at opinion@wyomingnews.com. Wyoming's law enforcement community has every right to speak its opinions on such issues as the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. But as law officers, they should focus on truth-telling and supplying credible information rather than trying to mislead the people of this state. [continues 622 words]
CHEYENNE - A Wyoming law enforcement group is planning a campaign to fight back at efforts to legalize medical marijuana in the state. The Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police is gauging interest in starting a statewide outreach effort to inform residents on the "harmful personal and societal effects of marijuana." But Byron Oedekoven, executive director of the group, said he expects there will be support for the project and that it will be launched this month. "We are looking for statements of support for this education campaign," he said. "We anticipate that there will be support, and armed with that grassroots support, we will undertake an educational campaign." [continues 601 words]
Gretchen Wheeler knows her 21-year-old daughter will never be able to drive, marry or have her own children. Katelyn will likely live with her mother "forever," Wheeler says. She is willing to accept some of those facts. Her daughter has epilepsy and autism. What Wheeler can't accept is Katelyn's constant seizures. The Casper mother is one of 175 Wyoming residents, according to Wyoming Department of Health estimates, considering a hemp extract oil that could help people with epilepsy. The Wyoming Legislature passed a law in February that legalized the oil. It was the least contentious of a handful of medical cannabis bills considered by lawmakers. [continues 945 words]
It's time for Wyoming lawmakers to have a serious conversation about enacting sensible reforms when it comes to our state's marijuana policies. A great place to start is House Bill 0029, which would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. This proposal would impose a civil, not criminal, penalty with a fine of up to $100 for a first or second offense. Reducing penalties for low-level marijuana possession would prevent thousands of people from becoming ensnared in the criminal justice system. Convictions for possessing even small amounts of marijuana can follow people throughout their lives. [continues 230 words]
Editor: I am a 50-year-old woman who has alcohol and drug addiction issues, ADD, personality disorder, and degenerative arthritis that is extremely painful. My diagnosis came while living in Washington state, thank goodness. Medical marijuana had just become legal and my doctor prescribed it in smoke and oil, CBD, to help. It had me to one pain pill a day, no booze, no drugs, And I now own a home and pay taxes where before, I couldn't stay sober and pain free enough to hold a job, or a relationship. I came back to Wyoming for my aging parents thinking at least medically, I would be good. Not so, if am now up to three pills a day and having side-effect health issues. I would like my natural medicine to be legal for me and all others wanting it. Nadine Girouard, Rock Springs [end]
Editor: I absolutely support marijuana legalization. The first thing is to legalize medicinal use, which would allow doctors to be able to prescribe as needed, and for patients to be able to have this option. Decriminalization should be the next step. We should take a look at what other states are doing and see what will work best for Wyoming. We need to quit throwing people in prison for using marijuana. Abuses of this drug should be done through drug court and treatment options. Michelle Irwin, Green River [end]
CHEYENNE -- Gov. Matt Mead believes Wyomingites are likely purchasing legal marijuana in Colorado and taking it home, and he blames the federal government, he said Friday. At an annual gathering of the Wyoming Press Association at the Little America Hotel, Mead talked about his opposition to legalization. Meanwhile, just miles away at the state Capitol, a handful of marijuana bills aimed at decriminalizing the drug or legalizing it for medical use were before the Legislature. Mead said the attorney general studied the lawsuit Oklahoma and Nebraska filed in December against Colorado but decided it wasn't the best way to proceed strategically. [continues 164 words]
Editor: I think Wyoming should legalize marijuana both medically and recreationally. The state is only shooting itself in the foot by not legalizing it. Look at how much money Colorado has made. Not only have they made money, but crime rates have dropped and the police are able to focus their energy on stuff that matters, not incarcerating people for smoking a plant, which is much less harmful than alcohol. Austin Krier, Laramie [end]
Editor: We should just legalize it, harvest some of the millions in tax revenue, like Colorado. At the very least, we should green-light medical marijuana. Show the rest of the country that we have joined this century. But we won't. The session is too short for anything significant to be done on this issue; two, maybe three committees would have to study it, several million dollars spent compiling reports no one will ever read and lots of angry letters to the editor from people who don't want Wyoming to be a "druggie state," etc., etc. [continues 83 words]
Editor: I fully support the legalization of marijuana in Wyoming for both medical and recreational purposes. I see absolutely no reason for it to be illegal in the first place. There are numerous studies showing little to no long-term harm to users. Even more exciting than that, there are numerous studies showing that use of cannabis can have some very significant positive health benefits and can fight fatal illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Most people I know could benefit from the use of cannabis in one way or another either as a defense against major medical problems, relief from daily ailments such as chronic pain or digestive disorders, or simply as a means of stress relief. I believe it to be much more effective, versatile and safe than many of the drugs and treatments currently prescribed by doctors. [continues 217 words]
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - An increasing number of visitors to Yellowstone National Park are being prosecuted for possessing small amounts of medical and recreational pot, which remains illegal on federal land. Park rangers attribute the trend both to ignorance of federal law and the growing prevalence of legal pot in other states, including neighboring Colorado, which has legal medical and recreational marijuana. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Cheyenne reports it prosecuted 21 marijuana cases from Yellowstone in 2010 and 52 in 2013. As of Dec. 17, the office had handled 80 cases in 2014. [continues 169 words]
Editor: Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes could put to good use a large harvest basket of revenue. I am sure that there are respected tribe members that smoke cannabis. They just have to be careful not to be captured or exposed. If the elders can be persuaded to see the wisdom in embracing this newly proffered liberty, the tribes can prosper on the capitalist playfield. It is a lot easier to educate your people on any harms of cannabis than to prohibit it. As there is nowhere in Wyoming where one may possess or use cannabis, one idea worth consideration would be the creation of a cannabis lodge/spa. Open to adults with ID, offering cannabis, garden tours, food, lodging and camping. JAY BERGSTROM, Forest Ranch, California [end]
U.S. Attorney: Federal Memo Doesn't Change Legal Status of Pot Native American tribes on the Wind River Reservation are now able to grow and sell marijuana without federal prosecution after the release of a U.S. Justice Department memo last week that directed attorneys to stop prosecuting such cases. Christopher Crofts, U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming, said the Justice Department memo doesn't immediately change marijuana laws for the tribes or legalize marijuana on the Wind River Reservation. [continues 425 words]
Editor: Caging sick people for using the God-given plant cannabis (marijuana) is anti-Christian and vulgar("New group will regularly demonstrate for medical marijuana, industrial hemp," Star-Tribune, May 17). It's also time for free Wyoming farmers to legally grow hemp, just like communist Chinese farmers. It's clearly time for intelligent voters to end cannabis prohibition. Stan White Dillon, Colorado [end]
Editor: Why is it, to change the marijuana laws, criminal laws, you have to go through a political process to be secure from state police power which is unreasonable when it is not used to protect the rights of others? Why has the Wyoming judiciary declared the marijuana laws are a political question? Why is it the courts claim no fundamental rights are being deprived by the enforcement of the marijuana laws? Why do the courts declare the use of police power has a rational basis when due process of law requires the use of state police power to be either reasonable or unreasonable by the Fourth and Fifth Amendment? [continues 228 words]
There are three particularly absurd things about Wyoming's fight against marijuana: First: Wyoming is a state that proudly exports lots of air polluting fossil fuels, and uranium too, and we consider marijuana a "dangerous substance." Should the same standards be applied to all things, we wouldn't have anything to export. Second: Regarding Wyoming's relative position in the greater War on Drugs, we're about in the middle of the country. Consider the frequent newspaper accounts of cars being pulled over along Interstate-80. Let's say that the car has Ohio plates and is speeding. Officer Trap pulls it over and also searches the car and finds marijuana. The driver intended to buy pot in California and resell it in Ohio. California gets a small economic stimulus, Ohio gets nothing and Wyoming gets a big bill for law enforcement and the incarceration of someone who just wants to drive eastward and be done with us. In this case as outlined, Officer Trap should certainly write a speeding ticket, but then let the driver go with his cargo to become the problem (i.e., the expense) of some other state. I mean, what do we gain here in Wyoming? Nothing. We get a reputation for petty bullying. We're hurting ourselves to punish someone else. This is absurd. Couldn't we just send Ohio an e-postcard? I mean, there was the crime-of-a-purchase in California, and a hoped for crime-of-a-sale in Ohio, and we get stuck in the middle and with the bill! [continues 100 words]
Three Casper residents demonstrated for the legalization of medical marijuana and industrial hemp products Saturday, part of what they say will be regular demonstrations at Conwell Park. As people in passing vehicles stared or honked -- one person gave the group a thumbs-down sign -- demonstrators held signs that said "Help end marijuana prohibition," "Cannabis -- fuel, paper, food and medicine" and "Cannabis cures cancer." The demonstrators are part of the new group Wyoming Cannabis Activists. The organization had simultaneous demonstrations at the Cheyenne Depot in the capital city, at which 10 people showed up, and in Jackalope Square in Douglas, at which local resident and U.S. Senate Republican candidate Thomas Bleming demonstrated, said Marcia Stuelpnagel, co-founder of Wyoming Cannabis Activists. [continues 362 words]
Editor: Tim Casey is mistaken ("Pot prohibition isn't working," March 16) to believe cannabis (marijuana) prohibition isn't working. Historically, cannabis prohibition was orchestrated to discriminate against minorities, give law enforcement agencies job security and to allow some powerful people the opportunity to profit off of the dubious laws. For that, it is working properly as planned. Stan White Dillon, Colo. [end]
Decriminalize! It's obvious that prohibition isn't working. They want to call it a gateway drug but spoiler alert, the only gateway i experienced came from the people I had to see to buy pot. Hey dude, check this out: Try a dime's-worth, see what you think. When I started growing my own, my use of other drugs vanished. As far as violence, it is just like booze in that the violent people are that way without being high. I never became violent on pot. I was never an addict and I used it heavily for years only after my day was my own. When I quit, I had no withdrawal symptoms other than what to do with my library and equipment. Oh, and I destroyed lots of Polaroids of harvesting in the living room. I wish I had kept the issue of High Times that had a picture of my prize bud. What a rush! TIM CASEY, Casper [end]
Editor: Marijuana should be legal throughout the entire United States. Why would we not want to know that people are getting a good product at a fair price, create jobs (not prison guard positions), and apply a fair tax to the product. We know that a good portion of the public is using and going to continue using marijuana anyway. People can say it is a gateway drug and if indeed that is the case, then alcohol should be illegal as well. If you did a poll I am quite sure that most young people experimented with alcohol before they did with marijuana. Wyoming's Legislature is more worried about their "holier than thou" image than they are thinking about doing what is right. Let us be the first to legalize it rather than one of the last like we usually are. LU MARTINEZ, Gillette [end]
Editor: I'm writing in regards to Patrick Simonaitis' article titled "Marijuana-related rage, Smirnoff Ice lead to Casper man's arrest" (Jan. 28). I can't help but wonder why, in this city of 60,000-plus, this somewhat negligible event was determined noteworthy. I think it's more than just coincidence that a mundane household conflict would find its way to print with the title "Marijuana-related rage" at a time when there is so much happening politically with marijuana in our state and in Colorado. [continues 284 words]
Editor: Most of us have seen the long lines of people waiting to purchase legal marijuana from licensed facilities in Denver, Colo. The people in these lines are either unemployed, using vacation time, on their day off, or they are unemployable because they have tested positive for the use of marijuana. I wonder how many of these people are on some sort of public assistance because they are unemployable. Consider this. Marijuana can be detected by urine analysis for nearly a week or more after using it. Users will probably be unable to pass a urine analysis test if there employer requires routine testing, so how do they expect to keep their jobs and support their families? Apparently employers aren't as enthused about the new law as the residents of Colorado are and employers apparently don't want people that smoke marijuana working for them. [continues 175 words]
Thirty years ago, before he moved to Wyoming and became a Republican state lawmaker, Bruce Burns' mother asked him to come to Long Island, N.Y., with pot. Burns' uncle, a Jesuit priest who lived most of his life as a missionary in India, was dying of lung cancer. Burns was a dutiful son. He delivered the goods. His uncle's mood and appetite improved. The priest gained 15 pounds and was more comfortable when he died. Burns, now a state senator from Sheridan, became a believer in the medical benefits of marijuana. [continues 957 words]
CHEYENNE (AP) - A debate over whether Wyoming should legalize marijuana may be about to flare up. Bordered to the north and south by states that have legalized some uses of marijuana, Wyoming still counts marijuana possession as a crime. Possession of anything over 3 ounces in the Equality State is felony territory, enough to put a person in prison for five years. Rep. Sue Wallis, R-Recluse, said this week that she intends to introduce a bill in the legislative session that starts early next year to decriminalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. [continues 621 words]
There is a mad rush to legalize marijuana these days, but it's time to rethink that generous yet foolish move -- generous because it lifts the onus of crime from peaceful smokers, but foolish because it harms mental development and health. Legalization, as we have seen it in Colorado and Washington state, lifts the cloud of legal fears from the shoulders of pot smokers. But legalizing pot would almost certainly lead to much wider smoking of the weed, leaving millions damaged for life. [continues 398 words]
Editor: For 45-plus years now, I've been advocating the re-legalization of marijuana. At last there seems to be a light at the end of the long dark tunnel of cannabis prohibition for several states have re-legalized medical marijuana and two, as you know, have gone as far as to re-legalize pot period. However in Colorado the state's legislators are working feverishly to circumvent the will of the people to insure the cannibus black market thrives. One way they're doing this is by imposing high taxes that will raise the price of high grade pot to some say $400 an ounce. (Black market is around $2-300 an ounce.). So why do this? Well on the political right there's A.L.E.C. A pseudo lobbying group that represent corporations in writing right wing legislation. Among their clientele is Correction Corp. of America, the largest for profit prison systems in the U.S. Studies have shown that those imprisoned on pot charges are by and large low maintenance high profit prisoners. [continues 198 words]
A jazz track opens with a mellow piano and bass duet. Then a swelling cymbal roll. You hear people coughing, the air conditioner running. The sound of Bill Evans' live recording of "My Foolish Heart" is even richer where a man with graying hair sits. He keeps pillows propped on the back of his living room couch to help with acoustics. The former music professor designed the stereo system to convert high-resolution music from digital to analog. Then it's amplified and pumped through two tower speakers. [continues 2217 words]
I agree wholeheartedly with Linda Burt of the American Civil Liberties Union in her letter of June 11, "Wyoming should consider decriminalizing pot." Every American should read "Smoke Signals" by Martin A. Lee. Mr. Lee tells about how marijuana was demonized by Harry Anslinger back in 1934 when he determined to convince Congress and Americans that a dangerous new drug was threatening the country. He did this because tax revenues were down and his department in the government was on the chopping block. It was also a way to promote racism against African Americans, Mexicans and Asians. The laws put in place at that time were truly draconian. [continues 254 words]
Editor: The New England Journal of Medicine did a poll recently where they asked doctors worldwide if they would prescribe medical marijuana to an elderly woman with cancer. Seventy-nine percent worldwide and 76 percent of U.S. doctors said they would. In another poll, 76 percent of Americans favor re-legalization of medical marijuana while 56 percent favor total re-legalization. So why isn't pot legal? Well, aside from the obvious, corporate profit, have you ever considered that the anti-gunners also don't want pot legal? The reason? Ninety percent of the gun violence in the U.S. is "drug war" related. With 85 percent of those who use any illicit substance only smoking pot, re-legalization would definitely reduce the scope and size of this war thus reducing the gun violence this war, like all war, brings with it. So it stands to reason the anti-gun lobby would also oppose marijuana re-legalization. Re-legalizing would put a real kink in their disarmament argument with the reduction of violence re-legalization would bring with it. And by the way that last statistic shoots the gateway myth now doesn't it? [continues 133 words]
Marijuana has become the drug of choice for police departments nationwide n a trend that is playing out with serious consequences here in Wyoming. According to a report released by the ACLU this week, law enforcement has turned much of their zeal for fighting the failed War on Drugs towards the enforcement of marijuana laws in communities across the country. In Wyoming in 2010, police made 2,254 total arrests for marijuana. Fully 93.3 percent of these total arrests were for marijuana possession, not the manufacture or sale of marijuana. Marijuana possession arrests accounted for 67.1 percent of all drug arrests in Wyoming that year. [continues 168 words]
CASPER, Wyo. - Wyoming is bracing for increased marijuana crimes because of Colorado's new constitutional amendment allowing anyone over 21 to use the drug. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Tuesday that police officers predict increased cannabis flow through Wyoming because of the Colorado pot law. The newspaper points out that no point in Wyoming is more than 180 miles from Colorado or Montana, which allows marijuana for people with certain medical conditions. "With Wyoming being a neighboring state, I would suspect you'll see an increase in marijuana use," said Tom Gorman, director of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. [continues 232 words]
CASPER, Wyo. - Access to marijuana has never been easier for Wyomingites with transportation. Any point in the state is no more than 180 miles from either Montana, where medicinal marijuana is permitted; or Colorado, where recreational usage is now legal. In late 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states in the nation to not only decriminalize but allow adults over 21 to possess an ounce or less. Under the current Wyoming state law, anyone arrested for possessing up to an ounce of the drug could face up to a year in jail or up to a $1,000 fine. No immunity is offered for those who purchased or received a prescription from out of state. [continues 427 words]
A speeding Chevrolet Impala was carrying two passengers, 115 pounds of high-grade marijuana and $3,000 in cash Sunday night when it was stopped near the Utah-Wyoming border. Driver Shaval Green, 35, of Margate, Fla., and his passenger, 24 year-old Willie Lofton of Lithonia, Ga., are being held in the Uinta County Jail in Evanston, Wyo., on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance in plant form, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver,. and conspiracy to deliver controlled substance. [continues 163 words]
The first time he ingested methamphetamine, Jake Dunbar wasn't old enough to legally drive. It was at night. He was with a friend who seemed to be hiding something. After persuading his companion to let him try some, he inhaled his first hit, sucking the milky-white cloud into his then-14-year-old lungs. Last week, when asked to describe how it made him feel, Dunbar paused. Standing in his garage, he looked out across the moonlit yard of his family's home in Evansville and finally said, "It's sort of a groggy kind of relief." [continues 1398 words]
Editor: Over the last few decades I've been advocating the re-legalization of cannabis, hemp, aka marijuana, pot, weed, reefer, etc. The two most common comments I've gotten are "you don't see a person come home and beat their wife, kids or family dog after a night of smoking pot like you do sometimes when they've been out drinking," or "in spite of my objections my kids indulge in intoxicating substances; I'd rather they just smoke pot." [continues 359 words]
Legalize marijuana? CHEYENNE -- A Jackson musician says he is receiving support for his plan to get a ballot question before town voters to legalize the use of small amounts of marijuana by adults. Pete Muldoon said he has collected 100 signatures thus far. He plans to gather 1,000 to be sure he has at least 500 valid signatures from registered voters who live in Jackson. Muldoon is aiming to get his proposal on the November election ballot. "I don't use marijuana," he said in a telephone interview. "I just don't think we should be arresting [users] and sending them to jail." [continues 342 words]
Editor: Re: "Dictatorship by inaction," Letters/May 16. Letter writer Joe DePaul is right about the constitutional basis for drug prohibition. A big concern about cannabis prohibition is the fact that marijuana laws are based on outrageous racist fictions: "Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." (Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1934) "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." Harry J. Anslinger, circa 1947 [continues 129 words]
Editor: In the April 20 issue of the CS-T there was an article about a man in Colorado who was busted by the feds for growing medical marijuana even though he was licensed by the state to do so. Events like this raise some very important constitutional questions. First off, whatever happened to the 10th Amendment? You see, the 10th was supposed to act like a wall of separation between direct federal rule and the citizens of each of the states. The only power the feds had when it came to the states was to regulate international trade and to rule on the constitutionality of state laws. In order for federal law to supersede state law, there should be a constitutional amendment repealing the 10th. I don't think the 14th is that amendment, by the way. [continues 239 words]
An Open Letter to Our U.S. Senators: Prospective Drug Enforcement Administration head Michele Leonhart opposes medical marijuana and works to prevent Veterans Administration doctors from recommending it. Why should veterans who rely on the VA for health care be denied remedies available to those who did not risk all in service to their country? I count myself among their number and find this discrimination to be outrageous and offensive. Blocking VA doctors from recommending medical marijuana is not only discriminatory, it is fiscally irresponsible. When a plant that literally grows like a weed can treat a medical condition as effectively as a costly pharmaceutical it should not only be an alternative, it should be the first alternative. [continues 71 words]
Editor: I'm writing about Travis Glasgow's thoughtful letter: "How marijuana became illegal" (March 28). Marijuana is the foundation of our so-called war on drugs. Remove marijuana from the equation and the whole drug war will collapse. The so-called war on drugs is a huge industry and huge bureaucracy. Victory in the drug war is not possible, nor is it the goal. Victory in the drug war would mean that the drug war industry and bureaucracy are out of business. [continues 162 words]
The city council will take no steps to legalize marijuana in Cody, despite an ailing citizen's request. A man who addressed the council only as "Mr. E. Green" said via letter his symptoms from gastritis, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome are most effectively treated with marijuana. "Out of a strong desire to feel better and alleviate some of my family's concern for my failing health, I have subjected myself to many unpleasant treatments," he wrote. "I figured that if many health care professionals around the world, including my personal digestive specialist, felt that marijuana was worth suggesting, it might be worth a try," he wrote. [continues 429 words]
Editor: Re: "Woman with marijuana prescription arrested for drug possession." I am puzzled about the eagerness of the state of Wyoming to enforce marijuana laws based on racist lies: "Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." (Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1934) "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." [continues 118 words]
Wyoming government believes it has a good reason to cage a woman for using cannabis (marijuana) which her doctor approved ("Woman with marijuana prescription arrested for drug possession," March 29)? A better reason to not cage a woman for using cannabis which her doctor recommended is because it's biblically correct since Christ God Our Father, the Ecologician, indicates He created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good, on literally the very first page (Genesis 1:11-12 and 29-30). The only biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that it is to be accepted with thankfulness (see 1 Timothy 4:1-5). And "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (see 1 John 3:17). Jesus Christ risked jail to heal the sick. Stan White, Dillon, Colo. [end]
Editor: For our fine men and women in law enforcement, lawmakers, and those who wish to drink from the intoxicating cup of American propaganda, I would like to remind them of how the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act came about. I don't expect law enforcement to be educated as to why laws were passed; their job is simply to enforce those laws. I do wonder, however, if they question the laws they are sworn to enforce. While alcohol, a more addictive and harmful drug than Marijuana (http://www.saferchoice.org/content/view/24/53/), continues to destroy families everyday across this country, local police are cracking down on marijuana possession and use. The CS-T reported on March 19, a Colorado woman was arrested for possessing less than one once of medical marijuana. To be fair, Colorado laws do not apply in Wyoming (we do things different out here!), but the egregious crime of possessing less than a once of a substance that has a positive medicinal use, must be examined further. [continues 212 words]
Editor: I was dismayed to read about the arrest of Ms. Ragsdale ("Woman with marijuana prescription arrested for drug possession," March 19. No one should be subject to prosecution for following their doctor's medical recommendations. We Wyomingites are rightly proud to live in the Equality State, a moniker our forebears earned by being the first to give women the right to vote, serve on juries and hold public office. Unfortunately, we are far from the first to allow our sick and suffering fellow citizens access to marijuana, a potent and inexpensive medicine legally recommended by doctors in 14 other states. In the interest of medical equality, compassion and to help combat the rising cost of health care, we must move forward on this issue. If you'd like to help make medical marijuana an alternative here in Wyoming, please send an e-mail to ReformWyoming@gmail.com . Leroy Casterline, Casper [end]
Inside Wyoming
