Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jul 2004 Source: Ventura County Star (CA) Copyright: 2004 The E.W. Scripps Co. Contact: http://www.staronline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/479 Author: Lisa Cordova Schwarz Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1025/a13.html Cited: California Narcotics Officers Association http://www.cnoa.org/ Cited: California's Peace Officers Standards & Training http://www.post.ca.gov/ LIES PERPETUATED Dear Editor: Re: Deputy Sheriff Macias Letter "Poor Excuse for Pot" Sheriff Macias' letter highlights the pervasive ignorance running amok among Ventura County Sheriff employees. As a Ventura County narcotics officer, Macias has been trained by Federally funded CNOA (California Narcotics Officers Association) which clearly rejects any published scientific studies proving the efficacy of cannabis medication. CNOA's position paper (available at cnoa.org) perpetuates the lies and propaganda demonizing marijuana, has been adopted by sheriff Bob Brooks and his employees. Ventura County Sheriff should rely on POST (California's Peace Officers Standards & Training) for a more accurate information and training materials. With the ongoing budget problems we are facing here in Ventura County, the Sheriff needs to spend narcotics funds on narcotics enforcement rather than the persecution and prosecution of sick people. Lisa Cordova Schwarz Camarillo - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake