Pubdate: Sat, 12 Aug 2000
Date: 08/12/2000
Source: Blade, The (OH)
Author: Jim White

"The government just doesn't care" what the people of California voted
for, or for that matter what those in other states have voted for, or
will vote for.

The issue is medical marijuana, and according to an attorney
representing the U.S. Justice Department, the government just doesn't
care.

The Justice Department suffered a setback when a federal judge ruled
in favor of an Oakland medical marijuana dispensary, permitting the
organization to begin distributing marijuana to patients with a
doctor's recommendation.

The DOJ vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court, Barry McCaffrey vowed to
prosecute doctors that even uttered the word marijuana (despite a
ruling that it would be unconstitutional), and threatened to revoke
their licenses if they recommended marijuana to the sick.

Medical marijuana initiatives have passed in five states with an
average of 60 per cent of the voters favoring the initiatives. A
medical exception was added to Ohio law some time ago, but was just as
quickly removed by our representatives in the legislature who also
"just didn't care." Governor Taft concurred: The voters are too stupid
and Big Brother knows best.

The last time I checked, we lived in a representational democracy,
where the power to govern was derived from the consent of the
governed. The only "czar" in the free world has overstepped his
authority, and the DOJ will facilitate the power grab. And voting the
rascals out doesn't apply to appointed positions.

The Constitution provides for the separation of powers for a very good
reason: Because there comes a time when Big Brother needs a bloody
nose to remind him that "We the people" have the authority in the land
of the free.

Jim White,
Oregon