Pubdate: Thu, 01 May 2014 Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2014 Star Advertiser Contact: http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154 Page: A10 CHRISTIE'S LENGTHY SAGA NEARS A MERCIFUL END However you come down on the case of Roger Christie - the Hawaii island "cannabis minister" just sentenced for marijuana distribution - a natural response is to breathe a sigh of relief that this part of the saga at least has come to an end. Although appeals in his case and that of his wife likely will follow, the detention and trial simply took far too long. To underscore that point: Christie's very nearly already served his five-year sentence. Also, in the intervening four years since the defendant began detention, the legal stance on marijuana has relaxed in various states. In addition to the two states that have made it wholly legal, there has been an increased acceptance of decriminalization and legal medical use of cannabis. The protracted court fight over Christie seems almost quaint. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt