Pubdate: Fri, 30 May 2008 Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI) Copyright: 2008 Journal Sentinel Inc. Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/submit.asp Website: http://www.jsonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n521/a12.html Author: Capt. Charles Wood MARIJUANA EFFECT IS NOT GOOD There is never a lack of people willing to tell law enforcement officials how to do their jobs. On May 23, columnist Jim Stingl suggested law enforcement misdirects its resources and energy chasing after people growing marijuana ("Drug policy chases weeds, misses needs"). I disagree. Enough marijuana was seized to have a significant impact on the community, and the suspects were allegedly engaged in other crimes, including theft of electricity and money laundering. Stingl suggests we look at medical marijuana, a leading cause of the National Organization for Reforming Marijuana Law. Marijuana as a painkiller has been extensively researched by the American Medical Association and has been shown to be a poor substitute for other prescribed pain medication. If Stingl thinks marijuana is a good thing in the community, he should come clean and not beat around the bush, er, plant. Medical professionals and others accept marijuana as a gateway drug that often leads to the use of cocaine and heroin. We have a drug problem in our community, and it needs addressing with open, intelligent debate. The neighborhoods that these marijuana grow-houses were located in were not improved by their presence, the people who lived there did not want a marijuana factory next door, we all will pay for the theft of electricity, and this illegal enterprise and related money laundering made a few people rich but deprived the community as a whole. Congratulations to the officers and agencies responsible for the bust. I hope they are not discouraged by people like Stingl, who know how we could better spend our time. Capt. Charles Wood Waukesha County Metropolitan, Drug Unit Commander North Prairie - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake