Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jul 2006
Source: El Paso Times (TX)
Copyright: 2006 El Paso Times
Contact:  http://www.elpasotimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829
Author: Deitra Lied
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MARIJUANA ISSUE

I think it is wrong to jail people for using legal, proven, medical treatments.

Science, patients and physicians have determined that marijuana is a safe, 
effective medicine. Pretending it doesn't exist or will go away is no 
longer an option.

The feds need to back off and let voting Americans regulate medical 
marijuana within their states for the maximum benefit of society.

Our federal government is not honoring states' rights, refuses to uphold 
the voters recorded wishes and ignores legal documentation reflecting state 
law. The Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment would have ensured that the Justice 
Department would stop persecuting and prosecuting law-abiding patients and 
licensed providers.

Medical marijuana programs can generate revenue for further research and 
other health programs. The potential benefits of the hemp plant and the 
revenue it would bring to our agricultural industries, ecology, economy and 
health have been intentionally prevented because of the association with 
marijuana.

Think of the potential money saved when the DEA and the U.S. Justice 
Department stop spending any more taxpayer money to raid and prosecute 
medical marijuana patients or their providers.

Where is our compassion? Where is respect for the democratic process?

Where are our priorities?

Deitra Lied

Canutillo