Pubdate: Sun, 10 Aug 2008
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2008 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.uniontrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n748/a04.html
Author: F. Aaron Smith

COUNTY MARIJUANA SUIT IS COSTING TAXPAYERS

As California organizer for the Marijuana Policy Project, thank you 
for finally seeing the futility of San Diego County's medical 
marijuana challenge and urging the Board of Supervisors to hang it 
up, once and for all ("In brief/Rx marijuana; discovering a workout 
pill," Editorial, Aug. 2). It is unfortunate that the Board of 
Supervisors didn't heed the Union-Tribune's advice. In a time of 
staggering budget deficits in California, continuing this frivolous 
lawsuit at the expense of taxpayers (who are paying for the lawyers 
on both sides) amounts to nothing less than fiscal insanity.

If San Diego County supervisors really believe that locking up 
patients for following their doctor's advice is a good use of public 
safety resources, one would think that they would work to bring the 
medical marijuana issue back to the voters. Of course, since nearly 
three out of four Californians support the medical marijuana law, 
such a ballot initiative would also be an exercise in futility. But, 
at least it wouldn't be on the taxpayers' dime.

F. Aaron Smith

Santa Rosa 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake