Pot dispensaries sell to recreational users Re: Easy to get, easy to buy, Special Report, July 19 Thank you for Mike Hager's expose of Vancouver's unregulated marijuana dispensaries. We noticed a new Weeks store is opening at Broadway and Collingwood, a few blocks from Bayview Elementary. Despite their colleges prohibiting the practice, naturopaths and psychologists are prescribing marijuana because they can make a profit. It is impossible the more than 30 dispensaries in Vancouver exist only to treat the needs only of chronic pain patients. These dispensaries are selling marijuana to people who use it recreationally. People who want to use marijuana are able, as Mike Hager proves, to obtain it easily. Expecting unlicensed, for-profit and unregulated businesses to screen their customers is laughable. [continues 194 words]
I must agree with Andy Parker's conclusions in his column, "Let's just say no to random drug testing." (May 16, The Oregonian) Drug test only if there is a reason other than the child wants to be included in extracurricular activities. The less expensive tests (which are the only ones our cash-strapped schools can afford) are notorious for giving false positives, and a false positive can effectively damage a child severely. It is far more effective to give the children accurate information and teach good decision-making skills. Education is the key to a healthy, drug-free life. Besides, education is what they go to school for in the first place. Northeast Portland [end]
On Sept. 21, the "Montel Williams Show" was one of the most powerful in recent memory. Williams and his guests spoke about medical marijuana and how it allowed them to live somewhat normal lives although they suffer from lethal and/or debilitating diseases and disorders. Williams, as many know, suffers from multiple sclerosis, and one guest, Angel Raich, suffers from cancer and myriad other conditions that make it nearly impossible for her to even stay alive without her medical cannabis. If every Oregonian had seen this show, bags of letters in support of marijuana being rescheduled to a "Schedule II" drug (making it available at any pharmacy with a doctor's prescription) would be on their way to our representatives in Congress, and Measure 33 would not be needed. [continues 80 words]
A lot has been said by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and other elected officials about the right of Oregonians to determine how they die. I would like to see them be just as compassionate about how Oregonians live. Just as the assisted-suicide initiative was passed by Oregon voters, so was the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. But I don't see our elected officials lining up to protect the rights of Oregonians to the medicine many have found to be best for their particular conditions. [continues 56 words]
