Pubdate: Tue, 22 Apr 2008
Source: Daily Triplicate, The (Crescent City, CA)
Copyright: 2008 Western Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.triplicate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2151
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n374/a04.html
Authors: Ron Calafiore, Icey Riegel, Donald Gerald, Ruben Sperry

MEETING ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS NOT CONDUCTED FAIRLY

We also attended the Board of Supervisors meeting where medical 
marijuana was discussed.

At the beginning of the meeting we were asked to wait until the last 
item scheduled because of the amount of people attending. This way 
all who wanted to speak, could. All kindly agreed.

The people were given 15 minutes to speak on these other items. Some 
spoke less and some longer. Those that spoke longer got a kindly, 
"Thank you for speaking, but your time is up."

We listened and watched our county supervisors at work.  We saw 
first-hand how our local government really works and how one-sided it can be.

When it came time for the marijuana issue, we were allowed two 
minutes to speak. If we went over the two minutes by one second, we 
got a very rude and loud "thank you!" about four or five times from 
Mr. (David) Finigan. Mr. Finigan did not give us the same common 
courtesy and respect as he had the earlier people.

Mr. Finigan only let a few people speak against the issue after only 
a few people spoke for the issue. An officer spoke in favor of more 
restrictions on medical marijuana and said, "marijuana had a higher 
street value and made the drug dealers more money than 
methamphetamine." We thought this statement was ludicrous, 
border-lining comical.

Mr. Finigan wants to reduce the amount of our medication we can grow, 
when the real issue that should be addressed is the methamphetamine 
problem we have in this county. Stop the meth cookers and users 
instead of worrying about a few marijuana plants grown legally.

As for the rude and unruly, you perfect non-disabled people should 
try living with chronic pain that at times can be most unbearable 
24/7-365, and the doctors will not give you enough pain meds or they 
treat you like a drug addict. Or have many of the other afflictions 
requiring medical marijuana. Then tell us you wouldn't resolve to use 
an alternate, natural relief.

We don't want to be criminals! We just want ample relief from our 
pain and other conditions!

We are writing The Daily Triplicate because when people that were not 
at the meeting read the paper, they need to read both sides.

We would also like to thank Supervisor Leslie McNamer for her fairness.

Ron Calafiore, Icey Riegel, Donald Gerald, Ruben Sperry

Crescent City 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake