Pubdate: Tue, 24 Oct 2006
Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2006 The Modesto Bee
Contact:  http://www.modbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/271
Author: Michael P. Elizondo
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

GO AFTER FORGERS, NOT POT CLUB

Regarding "'Good people who ... need it' protest Rx pot arrests" 
(Sept. 30, Page A-1) about people protesting the arrest of local 
cannabis club owners for alleged illegal distribution of medicinal 
marijuana: Much like the protesters, I feel that shutting down the 
club unfairly punishes law-abiding patients in need of the drug.

One of the main reasons the Drug Enforcement Agency shut down the 
club was that patients were buying the drug with fake prescriptions, 
then illegally reselling to others. I agree that those engaged in 
such activities should be dealt with accordingly, but I feel we 
should deal with those individuals as the problem, not the club.

If a person were to somehow pass off a fake prescription for Valium 
at a local pharmacy, then illegally resell the drug on the street, 
the DEA wouldn't shut down the pharmacy. If the DEA keeps shutting 
down clubs, many patients who need the drug for relief might turn to 
illegal sources.

It's been proven time and again that marijuana has medicinal 
properties, and we shouldn't punish the good people who truly need it.

MICHAEL P. ELIZONDO

Salida
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman