Pubdate: Sun, 6 Sep 2009 Source: Los Angeles Daily News (CA) Copyright: 2009 Los Angeles Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.dailynews.com/writealetter Website: http://www.dailynews.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/246 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n820/a01.html Author: Ellie Doud REGULATE THEM I am not, and never have been, a pot user. However, there is a certain validity in allowing people with serious and/or terminal illnesses to seek alternative treatments outside of mainstream medicine. Instead of raiding the dispensaries and decrying the wave of robberies surrounding them, authorities need to figure out a way to solve the problems. They might start by setting up a clear set of guidelines, including regulations, as well as security precautions. Dispensaries should be required to have safety measures in place (security doors and windows, etc.) before being licensed, either by the county or the state. They need to take basic responsibility for their safety precautions. There should be some statewide continuity of all measures in order to avoid conflicts and future confrontations with authorities. Unless sensible steps are taken to bring the pot dispensaries into the medical provider arena legally, we will continue to have the current problems with illegal activities. Ellie Doud Sherman Oaks - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake