Pubdate: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Sterling Newspapers Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/525 Note: The newspaper does not have an active website. Author: Sylvia Treptow CLARIFY POSITION Editor, the Gazette, Whose rights are being trampled on? There is no debate that medical marijuana is already legal. Nor are legitimate patients who have obtained licensing via Health Canada being denied access to their medicine. Those claims are emotional red herrings. The controversy involves Coun. (Joy) Davies' insistence on dragging Grand Forks into her attempt to change federal legislation and regulations when she could just as easily accomplish her goals by communicating personally and directly with Health Canada, which is in the process of reviewing and revising the regulations. In June, Coun. Davies stated to me that it was intended to establish a medical marijuana grow op in Grand Forks. In September, the editor of the Gazette requested Coun. Davies provide the names of task force members. The councillor has studiously avoided numerous opportunities to clarify her position and provide information. Continued game playing damages the public's trust in the councillor. At the Aug. 17 Council meeting, Coun. Davies suggested only users of medical marijuana should be heeded, and the remaining population need not be heard. How dare she tell the citizens of Grand Forks they are not allowed to be heard! Coun. Davies is attempting to impose her will upon us. She has forgotten the citizens of Grand Forks elected her and are, through their tax dollars, paying her month stipend. She is a servant of the people, not our dictator. What a pity Coun. Davies did not disclose her secret mission during the elections. Had I known her intent, I would not have voted for her. If Coun. Davies does not like the way citizens react to her, she could consider changing how she teats the citizens. Sylvia Treptow, Grand Forks - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D