Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2008 Source: Capitol Weekly (Sacramento, CA) Copyright: 2008 Capitol Weekly Group Contact: http://www.capitolweekly.net Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4194 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n519/a09.html Author: F. Aaron Smith LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: Law enforcement union lobbyist John Lovell stands in opposition to A.B. 2743 (Saldana) because of an apparent question as to whether or not medical marijuana collectives are in compliance with state law and the fear that they attract "criminal elements" ("Medical marijuana bills moving forward," Capitol Weekly, May 22, 2008). The problem with his logic is that Assemblywoman Saldana's legislation clearly only addresses the use of state and local law enforcement resources in raids on state-legal medical marijuana facilities. The bill would not affect the enforcement activities against any who are not operating legally under state law. Opponents of this legislation -- and the medical marijuana laws already on the books -- claim that medical marijuana patients and providers are in violation of state law. If that is true, there is absolutely no need to bring in the DEA and try them under federal law. The truth is that A.B. 2743 is narrowly crafted legislation that merely reinforces the will of the voters, who have already spoken on the medical marijuana issue. The legislation also restates existing legal precedent. Last year, the Fourth District Court of Appeals unanimously ruled, "It is not the job of the local police to enforce the federal drug laws..." Hopefully legislators will look past the ideological zealotry of some opponents and see A.B. 2743 for what it is: sensible legislation to ensure that state public safety resources are not used to willfully undermine state law. F. Aaron Smith California Organizer Marijuana Policy Project www.mpp.org - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake