Unfortunately, I believe that Washington government has equated the "gangland attitude" of profiteering shown by so many so-called medical cannabis "stores" with all of us, i.e., legitimate medical patients and activists. I know that most patients, me and others, care so much more about the value of cannabis as medicine rather than profits, but it appears that those who are not following the true spirit of medical cannabis laws have made so many waves, and so much money, that legitimate patients and activists are being ignored once again. I know many legitimate patients are ignored by those so-called medical cannabis stores unless we can "show them the money." So sad, but true. Tom Hawkins Grand Coulee, Wash. [end]
I am a medical marijuana patient. I am appalled that our drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, has come to my hometown and declared that "marijuana is a dangerous drug and has no medical value" President Obama has told us that there will be a federal policy change that will recognize medical marijuana users as legitimate in states with such laws. When will this happen so that we don't have to listen to the same tired old rhetoric? Once again, I am very disappointed with our drug czar, and I feel that he should return to Fresno and correct his false statements so that patients like me will be properly represented. Tommy Hawkins, Jr. Fresno [end]
In your editorial on marijuana you fail to see the big picture. If a population is so ambivalent to a law, maybe it's time to scrap it. Legalize marijuana to be grown for personal use only and take the profit out of it. We should have learned the lessons of Prohibition-type wars in the 1920s, when crime soared over the black marketing of alcohol. An added benefit of legalization would be the reduction of use of harder drugs that have become more available with the suppression of the pot supply. [continues 54 words]
Bravo for Attorney General Bill Lockyer's commitment to enforce California's Proposition 215, and hats off to you folks for a very good article on the matter ( "Lockyer to back medical marijuana," Dec. 29). Former Attorney General Dan Lungren was far too heavy into "reefer madness" and I am glad to have Lockyer replace him. Maybe now the will of the voters will be done. Tom Hawkins Jr. Fresno [continues 5 words]
The main example of this is Proposition 215. This proposition was passed by more than 65% of the voters in California. However, when it was then Lungren's job to implement this new law, his first reaction was to seek ways around implementing it. This was a violation of his oath of office and an attack on the rights of the citizens of California. For this reason I and many others will vote for Steve Kubby this November. I will also urge those I know to do the same. [continues 54 words]
The main example of this is Proposition 215. This proposition was passed by more than 65% of the voters in California. However, when it was then Lungren's job to implement this new law, his first reaction was to seek ways around implementing it. This was a violation of his oath of office and an attack on the rights of the citizens of California. For this reason I and many others will vote for Steve Kubby this November. I will also urge those I know to do the same. If Dan Lungren or Gray Davis truly feels he is the best man for the job then I challenge them to publicly debate Mr. Kubby. I do not feel that their subversive policies and actions would stand up for one minute against the Libertarian platform. Tommy G. Hawkins Jr. Fresno [end]
I found Pat Dolan's letter (July 17) interesting and it prompted me to think. It is time we put to rest the myth that smoking marijuanais a fringe activity engaged in only by those on the margins of American society. In reality, marijuana smoking is extremely common, and marijuana is the recreational drug of choice for tens of millions of mainstream, middle-class Americans. According to the most recent data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 71 million Americans -- more than one-third of the voting population --have smoked marijuana at some time in their lives. Many successful business, professional and political leaders admit they have used marijuana. Therefore, we must begin to reflect that reality in our state and federal legislation and stop acting as if otherwise law-abiding marijuana smokers are part of the crime problem. They are not, and it is absurd to continue to spend law enforcement resources arresting them. [continues 90 words]
Often doctors and their patients know pain medication is needed for certain conditions but the doctor is afraid to prescribe sufficient pain medication, relying instead on potentially harmful anti-inflamatorys and acetaminophen. This practice of defensive medicine comes from the doctor's fear of Drug Enforcement Administration intervention whenever narcotic medications are involved. The DEA is meant to protect us from foreign drug smugglers yet they constantly interfere with doctor/patient relationships. This year the voters of Washington state have the chance to stand up for the rights of doctors and their patients. Initiative 685 gives doctors the right to discuss and decide on the best medical care possible without interference from the DEA. Stand up for the rights of doctors and medical patients. Help end the fearful practice of defensive medicine in our state. Vote yes on Initiative 685. Tom Hawkins Grand Coulee, WA [end]
It is a sad fact that so many doctors in our state practice what is known as defensive medicine. Often doctors and their patients know pain medication is needed for certain conditions but the doctor is afraid to prescribe sufficient pain medication, relying instead on potentially harmful antiinflamatorys and acetaminophen. This practice of defensive medicine comes from the doctor's fear of Drug Enforcement Administration intervention whenever narcotic medications are involved. The DEA is meant to protect us from foreign drug smugglers yet they constantly interfere with doctor/patient relationships. [continues 73 words]
This practice of defensive medicine comes from the doctor's fear of Drug Enforcement Agency intervention whenever narcotic medications are involved. The DEA is meant to protect us from foreign drug smugglers yet they constantly interfere with doctor/patient relationships. This year the voters of Washington state have the chance to stand up for the rights of doctors and their patients. Initiative 685 gives doctors the right to discuss and decide on the best medical care possible without interference from the DEA. Stand up for the rights of doctors and medical patients. Help end the fearful practice of defensive medicine in our state. Vote yes on Initiative 685. Tom G. Hawkins Grand Coulee, WA [end]
It is a sad fact that so many doctors in our state practice what is known as "defensive medicine." Often, doctors and their patients know pain medication is needed for certain conditions, but the doctor is afraid to prescribe sufficient pain medication, relying instead on potentially harmful antiinflamatory drugs and acetaminophen. This practice of defensive medicine comes from the doctor's fear of Drug Enforcement Agency intervention whenever narcotic medications are involved. The DEA is meant to protect us from foreign drug smugglers yet they constantly interfere with doctor/patient relationships. [continues 74 words]
Often doctors and their patients know pain medication is needed for certain conditions but the doctor is afraid to prescribe sufficient pain medication, relying instead on potentially harmful anti-inflamatorys and acetaminophen. This practice of "defensive medicine" comes from the doctor's fear of DEA intervention whenever narcotic medications are involved. The DEA is meant to protect us from foreign drug smugglers yet they constantly interfere with doctor/patient relationships. This year the voters of Washington state have the chance to stand up for the rights of doctors and their patients. Initiative 685 gives doctors the right to discuss and decide on the best medical care possible without interference from the DEA. Stand up for the rights of doctors and medical patients. Help end the fearful practice of "defensive medicine" in our state. Vote YES on Initiative 685. Tom Hawkins Grand Coulee, WA [end]
Your Oct. 7 article about I685 raises some falshoods about the initiative and paints George Soros in a negative light for supporting it. Washington needs I685. It does not legalize, decriminalize or allow the prescription or distribution of any drug. It permits doctors, with concurring opinion of a second physician, to recommend drugs, including marijuana, that have a demonstrated medical benifits to seriously ill patients. California and Arizona passed similar measures last year and things there are far better, not worse. [continues 66 words]
Often doctors and their patients know pain medication is needed for certain conditions but the doctor is afraid to prescribe sufficient pain medication, relying instead on potentially harmful antiinflamatorys and acetaminophen. This practice of "defensive medicine" comes from the doctor's fear of DEA intervention whenever narcotic medications are involved. The DEA is meant to protect us from foreign drug smugglers yet they constantly interfere with doctor/patient relationships. This year the voters of Washington state have the chance to stand up for the rights of doctors and their patients. Initiative 685 gives doctors the right to discuss and decide on the best medical care possible without interference from the DEA. Stand up for the rights of doctors and medical patients. Help end the fearful practice of "defensive medicine" in our state. Vote YES on Initiative 685. Tom Hawkins Grand Coulee, WA [end]
It is time we put to rest the myth that smoking marijuana is a fringe activity engaged in only by those on the margins of American society. In reality, marijuana smoking is extremely common, and marijuana is the recreational drug of choice for tens of millions of mainstream, middle-class Americans. According to the most recent data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 71 million Americans -- more than one-third of the voting population --have smoked marijuana at some time in their lives. Many successful business, professional and political leaders admit they have used marijuana. Therefore, we must begin to reflect that reality in our state and federal legislation and stop acting as if otherwise law-abiding marijuana smokers are part of the crime problem. They are not, and it is absurd to continue to spend law enforcement resources arresting them. [continues 86 words]
The court insists the decision was made in the name of protecting our children from medical marijuana. Medicine for cancer patients is no threat to our children. California and Arizona passed laws allowing medicinal use of marijuana and have not fallen off the face of the earth. In fact, far fewer people are suffering needlessly in those two states. As a believer in God I ask all of you to pray for Ralph and others who are suffering. Please pray also for peace in this insane drug war. Tom Hawkins Grand Coulee, WA [end]
I see Lt. Governor Brad Owen is at it again. It wasn't enough for him to be printed state wide ranting against Dr. Rob Killian's medical marijuana initiative. Now, he is crying about the proposed cuts in using the National Guard against American citizens. Unlike our prohibitionist lieutenant governor, I am glad that cuts are being made in the use of our National Guard in the Drug War. National Guard resources are meant for protecting the people, not fighting them. History shows that when the Guard is turned against Americans a horrible tragedy often takes place. When will Owen realize that attacking people in the name of the War On Drugs is wrong? Enough! The people are tired of war lust. Sincerely, Tom G. Hawkins Grand Coulee [end]
I see Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is at it again. It wasn't enough for him to be printed statewide, ranting against Dr. Killian's medical marijuana initiative. Now he is crying about the proposed cuts in using the National Guard against American citizens. Unlike our prohibitionist lieutenant governor, I am glad that cuts are being made in the use of our National Guard in the drug war. National Guard resources are meant for protecting the citizenry, not fighting them. History shows that when the Guard is turned against Americans, it often ends up a horrible tragedy. When will Owen realize that attacking people in the name of the war on drugs is wrong? Enough, Lt. Gov. Owen! The people are tired of war lust. Tom G. Hawkins Grand Coulee [end]
Bravo to the November Coalition for their wonderfully truthful depiction of the effects of the socalled "War On Drugs" on American families. (Your View cartoon. May 10.) There are those who continue to shout about the breakdown of our society without considering the devastation wrought by arresting nonviolent drug users. Until we acknowledge the war on drugs as the war on families there is little chance of things getting better. I agree with the November Coalition: Free the POWs in this modern civil war. Let them return to their families and their jobs. The harm done by taking productive people out of society for an act of freedom of choice is greater than we could have imagined. Prohibition is far more harmful to society than the use of the substances it attempts to control. That's why every major study conducted so far has recommended decriminalization of marijuana. The citizens of America are waking up to the truth. Let's hope our elected officials will do so, and soon. We have precious little time before our society is in ruins, just another casualty of the war on drugs. Sincerely, Tom G. Hawkins Grand Coulee [end]
