Thank you for the article on medical marijuana outlets ("Cracks in law filled with weed," April 22). I was not aware of any medical marijuana outlets in Oregon, but I am acutely aware of the need for them.

I'm writing to address the money matters implied in the article, specifically that the dispensaries are operating with a "clear profit." That may be so, but because this is my month to renew my annual registration as an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patient, I am aware of another "for profit" player.

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The First Amendment took another hit last week. This time it wasn't the so-called Patriot Act or an attempt to foist religion on atheists.

No, with those and similar attacks on our personal liberties, we could always count on a well-chosen lawsuit to declare the unconstitutionality of any given bill.

Not any more.

The Supreme Court of these United States, the highest court in the land, has essentially decided that free speech is not for everyone.

Let me explain.

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Police officers have been on the front lines of the "War on Drugs" in this country for more than 30 years.

Now some of them are saying the war is not working and are calling for an end to the drug war through the legalization and regulation of all drugs.

A group of former police officers who decided they did not believe the drug war was the best way to control drugs in 2002 founded Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).

They began delivering their message and gathering members across the country. Representatives will address Rotary and Lions clubs in Connecticut over the next two months.

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