Pubdate: Sun, 19 Jun 2011 Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT) Copyright: 2011 The Billings Gazette Contact: http://billingsgazette.com/app/contact/?contact=letter Website: http://www.billingsgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515 Author: Glenn Merideth RAIDS SHOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IS LEGITIMATE "Huge pot bust proves medical marijuana is a true criminal enterprise!" That is the headline that the DEA was hoping was going to be on the front page. That way, those who have preconceived notions and prejudice against a viable, naturally provided medicine could have another tool to "get rid of those drug lords" who are making millions of dollars helping the sick! The truth? The total "profits" confiscated from a 300-plant operation, which if it were an illegal enterprise, should have been at minimum a good six figure amount, was actually $2,011.28! Truth is, they actually truly injured many truly sick people by taking their caregiver away from them. What they did was no different than if they went into pharmacies and confiscated every narcotic pain medication on the shelf. The business owner was actually quoted saying, "That even with 300 plants, the business was not very profitable" and, let's not forget, that "we the people" voted medical marijuana into law. So, if the politicians were behind the bust, than they are now dictators, and if the DEA was behind this embarrassment, then we are now a police state. Whatever the case, a legal, voted-for-by-the-people medical program was subjected to a police state action, sick people are now not able to get their medications, and a business that was only trying to provide those sick people with their meds is now unable to do so. And, just over $2,000 was seized. What has happened to our "free country" of the people, by the people and for the people? Glenn Merideth Bridger - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.