Pubdate: Sun, 09 Sep 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Ray Carlson, Adam Wiggins
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1630/a02.html
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1637/a08.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
http://www.mapinc.org/find?200 (Rainbow Farm Shooting)

U.S. WAR ON DRUGS COMES HOME TO ROOST

I applaud the efforts of Dr. Phillip Leveque, one of the very few Oregon 
physicians willing to risk his reputation to help patients ("Medicinal Pot 
Is Doctor's Specialty," Sept. 4). Most MDs in Oregon are afraid that if 
they prescribe marijuana they will face the type of scrutiny that Leveque 
is currently facing.

All throughout the "medical marijuana" states, many of the most prominent 
doctors prescribing marijuana are being subjected to undue scrutiny. The 
state can develop guidelines but has absolutely no business evaluating the 
quality of the doctor-patient relationship.

Ray Carlson, Redwood City

~~

The tragedy at the Rainbow Farms campground ("2nd Man Is Shot Dead in 
Campground Standoff," Sept. 5) is just another example of the war on drugs 
gone completely out of control. Here we have a man who has his son taken 
away from him for the harmless act of smoking marijuana. When he protests, 
he and a friend are shot dead by FBI agents, without a trial or even an arrest.

Has the war on drugs come to this--that smoking marijuana is an offense 
punishable by death. I am shocked and appalled at the behavior of our 
federal agents, but perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. After all, we kill 
people in other countries (like Colombia and Peru) for doing drugs, so why 
not here.

Adam Wiggins,
Director, Neoteric,
Pasadena
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MAP posted-by: Jackl