Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2006 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.uniontrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386 Note: Does not print LTEs from outside it's circulation area. Author: Kenneth A. Regas THE PEOPLE'S WILL ON POT, ITS USE AND THE LAWS I am perplexed by recent news concerning the supposed conflict between California and federal marijuana laws. As I understand it, California and federal criminal laws are separate systems. Certain behavior can be allowed under one system while it's prohibited by the other. California law may not prohibit treason, for example. The U.S. code certainly does. So if you're aiding America's enemies, you have federal agents to worry about, but maybe not the local sheriff. By that thinking, California may set up a system of identification cards by which a sick person demonstrates eligibility to purchase marijuana under California law, even though that purchase may run afoul of federal law. There's no conflict, just different sets of authorities enforcing different sets of laws. Neither "trumps" the other. Am I missing something? I'm no lawyer and would really would like to be enlightened. Kenneth A. Regas Poway - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake