Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jun 2009
Source: Vancouver Voice, The (WA)
Contact:  2009 Vancouver Voice
Website: http://www.vanvoice.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5049
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

REEFER SAMENESS

Drug policy is at a crossroads in America. The "War on Drugs," it seems,
is headed toward a final resting place in the history books. The Obama
Administration has said it will stop using the term in its dealings of
drug control policy, perhaps putting an end to an era of domestic and
foreign drug policy that more and more are coming to realize was an utter
failure in many ways.

At the crux of the issue is marijuana. New Attorney General Eric Holden
has claimed the Drug Enforcement Agency will stop federal raids on
state-approved medical marijuana dispensaries. On May 18, the U.S. Supreme
Court turned down two appeals challenging California's medical marijuana
law. These are two signs that control of domestic marijuana policy will
continue to be put in the hands of state legislatures.

Washington is one of 13 states that allow citizens to use marijuana for
medical purposes. Furthermore, both houses of the state legislatures are
currently considering a bill that would reclassify adult possession of no
more than 40 grams of marijuana to a $100 penalty.

These issues and more were discussed at last months Forum at the Library
presentation, "Marijuana: Current Policy & Practice - What's Happening?"

Alison Holcomb of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington said
there needs to be robust regulations at the state levels on how marijuana
is used in our society. Right now, most professional doctors don't even
want to talk to patients about medical marijuana with the federal
government and the Drug Enforcement Agency looking over their shoulder.
Therefore, the only way to receive a medical marijuana card is often
through the "nickel ad physicians," or, as they were deemed at the forum,
"doc-in-a-boxes."

This is a counterproductive approach to marijuana. If citizens have voted
for the use of marijuana as a medicine, it should be treated as such.
Legitimate doctors should be the ones filling out prescriptions for
medical marijuana. This won't happen until government clears up the shady
grounds between what is legal and what is not. Research across the board
can help us learn more about the drug/medicine, opening the door to better
ways to help those dependant on the drug and better help those who are in
need for a better quality of life.

Clark Country Sergeant Tony Barnes of the Clark/Skamania Drug Task Force
said their goal is to educate and gain compliance from people with
licenses. They also go after large grows, which he said are on the move
south. Since 9/11, it has been more difficult for growers of "BC Bud" to
transport their product across the Canadian border into America. So, as
Barnes said, there has been an influx of manufacturing operations moving
full force into Washington, and are now reaching Clark County.

Thus, some are calling for a localization of marijuana growing and
dispensing. As reported in the May 21 issue of The Voice, an organization
is making movements to open medical marijuana cooperative. It's a popular
idea for some, and a heinous one for others. But, it's hard to argue that
taking marijuana sales out of the "thug criminals" and into caring and
professional individuals will reduce drug-related crimes and large-scale
operations. If a moderate, sensible system can be formed, then pro- and
anti-marijuana advocates will be able to co-exist.
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MAP posted-by: Doug