Pubdate: Sat, 17 May 2014
Source: Eastern Arizona Courier (AZ)
Copyright: 2014 Eastern Arizona Courier
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3qxecMIL
Website: http://www.eacourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1674
Author: Jerrold Shouse

IS ANYBODY SURPRISED?

Let's be honest. Really, IS ANYBODY SURPRISED? at the messy conflict
regarding medical marijuana featured on the front page of the Courier?
("Medical marijuana dispensary dispute," April 23, 2014) I am not
acquainted with any of the individuals or business entities named in
the story. It is not my intention to take sides in any way, favoring
or disfavoring any person or business involved over any other.

Whether we are speaking of the legal fiction of "medical marijuana," 
as in Arizona and other states, or the open promotion of pot for fun 
and profit, as in Colorado, I offer the following observations, based 
on 20 years of experience at the U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth:

- - Potheads and other drug users will say anything, do anything, to get
high.

- - With customers like that, there is big money to be
made.

- - Big, fast money attracts would-be dealers.

- - Dealers are not scrupulous or squeamish or fastidious about how the
money is made.

- - Turf wars, frequently violent, are a characteristic of the drug
trade.

Reading the story as reported, I identified nine different businesses
or commercial entities, as well as at least one person who uses
variant names on different legal documents. A reasonable person is led
to wonder why such a shadowy forest of altruistic-sounding names would
need to be involved, if we were dealing with a simple, legitimate
business venture, say shops selling office supplies. What is being
concealed, and why?

One last, personal opinion: A special corner of hell should be
reserved for those predatory individuals who grow fat on the
weaknesses and vices of addicts.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D