Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jul 2010
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2010 Barbara Adams
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Barbara Adams

RELAX LAWS ON MEDICAL CANNABIS

I believe that medical cannabis should be legally distributed by
prescription and that this will open the doors for the manufacture and
prescription of many other plant-based medicines in the future. I also
believe that untreated, unaltered cannabis should be decriminalized,
but to alter it in any way to extend or increase its effect should
always be a crime. This would inhibit future illegal cannabis growers
from attempting to compete with the medical marijuana distributors or
from inventing "cures" of their own. In addition, a law prohibiting
smoking a weed that grows wild is truly nonenforceable. Nonenforceable
laws create disrespect for law enforcement.

Changing the current statute to read that it is illegal to possess
marijuana for the purpose of altering it in any way prior to use or
sale would allow the police to continue to raid any and all types of
drug labs. It would allow young people determined to experience what a
"high" feels like to experiment with a substance far less dangerous
than alcohol or toxic inhalants. And it would allow distributors of
medical marijuana a fair shot at treating illnesses with healthy
plant-based products without constant harassment from illegal
competition.

Barbara Adams

Vancouver
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake