Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 Source: Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, CA) Contact: 2003 Tahoe Daily Tribune Website: http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/443 Author: Calvina L. Fay Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Calvina+Fay Note: More news items about this will be posted, as soon as they are available, here: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Ed+Rosenthal ROSENTHAL IS A DRUG KINGPIN In reference to the recent sentencing of drug kingpin Ed Rosenthal, it is obvious that he is immune to the Supreme Court ruling that marijuana has not been accepted for medical use in the United States, and that it is not a legal defense. Justice did not prevail; it completely failed leaving all of us who support sound drug policy outraged. For the sake of our children's future, we need answers now! How could Ed Rosenthal, who should have received a mandatory minimum of 5 years, get a downward departure of sentencing guidelines to one day, which he never served? How could a downward departure be considered because Judge Charles Breyer felt Rosenthal genuinely believed what he was doing was not against the law? Perhaps Judge Breyer needs to read Mr. Rosenthal's book, Marijuana: The Law and You, a Guide to Minimizing Legal Consequences. It must only be a mere coincidence that this book is designed, "to keep you out or get you out of trouble." The back cover of his book claims that it has "saved people thousands of years of jail time." Judge Charles Breyer has done us a grave injustice by his contempt for federal guidelines and abuse of power, an injustice that will sacrifice the health and well being of our children, and for that I will not stand. Instead of just say "no" Mr. Breyer reinforces just say "go." It seems as though he does not take the law seriously, like a game, don't go directly to jail, do pass go and do collect 200 children to demoralize. This travesty should be investigated immediately. Criminals do not need another loophole, nor do our children need to be exposed to another drug dealer flaunting federal law. Calvina L. Fay Executive director Drug Free America Foundation - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk