Pubdate: Wed, 05 Dec 2001 Source: Tahoe Daily Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2001 Tahoe-Carson Area Newspapers Contact: http://td.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/443 Author: Ray Carlson Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1994/a07.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) DISAGREES WITH INTERPRETATION OF LAW To the editor: Deputy District Attorney Lisa Serafini says that Patrick McMahon's marijuana "will not be returned even if 215 is a viable defense because federal law prohibits possession or cultivation of marijuana." Law enforcement officials of El Dorado County, as well as the county's voters, need to understand that deputy district attorneys have sworn specifically to uphold California state law, not federal law. Therefore, Serafini's statement does not hold water. How do voters feel about a district attorney in El Dorado County, charged with upholding state laws, who switches when it is convenient to do so in order to enforce his narrow interpretation of the law? Is this the man they want for DA? Fortunately, there is an alternative next March, Dale Schafer himself. Having survived a politically inspired DEA raid against him and his family, Schafer knows how sacred the Fourth Amendment protections of the Constitution are supposed to be. For patients in El Dorado County, Schafer may be all that intervenes between them and the DEA after next March. One thing: they certainly shouldn't trust the incumbent! Ray Carlson Redwood City, Calif. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk