Pubdate: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.aldergrovestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989 Author: Barb St. Jean TIME FOR CHANGE Editor, The Star: Re: "Hand-wringing over loss of sovereignty is unrealistic," The Star, Aug. 4. How would you feel if one of your loved ones was treated like a criminal or a drug addict for using cannabis to combat chemotherapy nausea in the end stages of their life? Would you help your brother if he was busted for growing cannabis for his wife who has Multiple Sclerosis or would you stand by and watch him be persecuted for his compassion? Our society obviously needs to be educated on the issue of cannabis use and that is what Marc Emery is trying to do. He knows the patient community can't stand up for themselves, they are ill and illness has no borders. Your comment; "While Canada has a much more lenient or tolerant attitude on the subject than our counterparts in the U.S., some of the reaction on this side of the border has been over the top," is ignorant of the truth. Did you know, in the state of California (one of many) medical cannabis use has been deemed legal and there are over 100,000 card-carrying, legal users? The DEA and other US federal enforcement regimes have ruthlessly tried to discredit state-wide initiatives and have spent billions waging a war on their own sick and dying citizens. It's time for change - Larry Campbell says; legalize it, tax it, regulate it. I say it time to stand up to uneducated and our bullying neighbours, wring our collective hands together, and just say no.Stop the insanity. Thank you, Marc Emery - your commitment to our movement is highly respected. BARB ST. JEAN, Grand Forks - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom