Pubdate: Sun, 30 May 2010
Source: Missoulian (MT)
Copyright: 2010 Missoulian
Contact:  http://www.missoulian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/720
Note: Only prints letters from within its print circulation area
Author: Elena Gagliano

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: LESS GOVERNMENT CONTROL THE BETTER

In reference to the May 25 Missoulian article regarding state Sen. 
Jim Shockley's desire to repeal the medical marijuana law, I find it 
interesting how the Republicans claim they want less government and 
yet more government control.

Yes, the people, including me, were wrong to vote for legalizing 
"medical marijuana." What we should have demanded and voted for was 
decriminalization of the use of cannabis. Didn't you know that every 
time you invite a vampire into your home, it takes total control, 
thus enabling it to sustain a lot of other sub-vampires at your expense?

Shockley's statement that "It was a good idea, poorly executed" 
shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Every time you allow the 
Nanny State to control and regulate some aspect of your life, you can 
bet "It" will "poorly" execute "it." Then It can make more intrusive 
rules of control so "it" can be fixed. Shockley affirms this outcome 
with his other pivotal statement that he "believes marijuana has 
medical benefits ... should remain legal, [but] only in a much more 
controlled way."?I won't bore you with a list of programs, policies 
and regulations exemplifying government involvement/control, which 
are usually at the expense of the individual for the pretentious 
benefit of the collective. What people should start to realize is 
that "It" can't fix "it" because "it" was created by "It."

Let me end by making a prediction. With the state's surplus 
supposedly, going from the black to the red, and the "no new taxes" 
chant, prepare to see major increases in fees, penalties and fines in 
practically every aspect of our lives that the government regulates, 
especially with the medical marijuana and DUI controls.

By the way, how does one grow the Percocet that Sen. Shockley made 
reference to not wanting to do?

Elena Gagliano,
Philipsburg 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart