Pubdate: Sun, 04 Apr 2010
Source: News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA)
Copyright: 2010 Tacoma News Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenewstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/442
Author: Alison Holcomb
Note: Holcomb is drug policy director with the American Civil 
Liberties Union of Washington.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n235/a03.html

POT: MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS NEEDS REFORM

Re: "Drug laws should matter, even with pot" (editorial, 3-30).

The editorial criticizing "quasi-commercial marijuana dispensaries" 
operated in residential neighborhoods highlights the need to reform 
Washington's medical marijuana law.

The law says physicians can authorize patients with terminal and 
debilitating medical conditions to engage in the medical use of 
cannabis, but it provides no guidance on how to obtain it.

It is impractical to expect very sick people to grow their own 
gardens -- assuming they know where to find seeds or cuttings. It is 
undesirable to force them or their loved ones into the black market 
to seek out marijuana of unknown origin.

The answer is a well-regulated system of state-licensed producers and 
dispensers. Other states have already implemented this sensible 
solution. Our state Legislature and agencies should do the same.

ALISON HOLCOMB; Seattle
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom