Pubdate: Thu, 09 Aug 2001
Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: David R. Ford

STOLEN POT

EDITOR: False information regarding medical marijuana must stop. One 
example: National newspapers, radio, TV, magazines and the Internet have 
reported that in September 1999, Robert Darkened of Fair Oaks became the 
first person known to be reimbursed for stolen medical marijuana through 
household insurance. I reported mine stolen to the Sonoma Police Department 
and my insurance agent on Sept. 8, 1997 (and was paid).

In May, the Supreme Court parroted federal law and ruled in an 8-0 
decision, that there can be no "medical necessity" defense against federal 
law. Now insurance companies are using that as political umbrella, not 
legal precedent. Medical marijuana in nine states is legal and should be 
covered.

The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act only banned "the non-medical" use of the herb. 
The federal government has lied for more than 60 years regarding the 
dangers of marijuana. Every national and international study for more than 
100 years has found marijuana not to be a dangerous drug. It was used in 
China for more than 5,000 years for appetite, nausea, muscle spasms, PMS, 
vomiting, chronic pain and more. It is used for the same illnesses, and 
more, today.

Medical marijuana will remain federally illegal until our coin-operated 
politicians stop accepting money from corporations that do not want the 
competition of an herb that cannot be patented.

David R. Ford, Sonoma
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