Pubdate: Wed, 13 Sep 2006
Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2006 The Modesto Bee
Contact:  http://www.modbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/271
Author: F. Aaron Smith
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MARIJUANA CARD MAKES SENSE

Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden does not support the  county's 
implementation of the state-mandated medical  marijuana ID card 
program because he fears it creates  crime associated with drug use 
(Aug. 30, Page B-3).

His position is ironic because the ID card helps local  officers 
distinguish legitimate patients from those who  are abusing our 
state's medical marijuana law. The ID  card proves to be working to 
reduce unlawful use of  medical marijuana in the 21 counties with 
operating  programs.

Is Chief Wasden really concerned about upholding public  safety, or 
is he just looking for an excuse to continue  harassing sick and 
dying patients for using therapeutic  marijuana in compliance with 
state law? Sadly, this  heartless political grandstanding against a 
decade-old  law approved by the voters is being financed by local taxpayers.

Without the medical marijuana ID card program,  Stanislaus County law 
enforcement officers will  continue to arrest legitimate medical 
marijuana  patients only to have their cases tossed out of court.

Hopefully the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors  will do the 
right thing and approve the Health  Department's plan to issue the 
state-mandated ID cards.

F. Aaron Smith, Statewide Coordinator

Safe Access Now

Santa Rosa
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman