Pubdate: Sun, 09 Dec 2012
Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)
Copyright: 2012 Times-Standard
Contact: http://www.times-standard.com/writeus
Website: http://www.times-standard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1051
Author: Jeffrey Schwartz

SUPES SPINELESS AGAIN ON MARIJUANA

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously extended the pot 
dispensary moratorium another year. Their primary concern was saving 
their own skins. "We are afraid the federal government might 
prosecute us for marijuana crimes, therefore we are going to deprive 
our constituency of access to lawful medical marijuana" was the call 
of the day.

The supes used the advice of Deputy County Counsel Davina Smith as 
cover when she informed the supes that the law is unsettled with 
several cases up in the state Supreme Court that will be decided 
within a year. But those cases will not settle anything with the 
federal government. Anyone who thinks the federal government will 
change the marijuana laws between now and next year is dreaming.

The supervisors should not have run for elected office if their 
concern for themselves would trump the needs of the public. If one 
accepts public office and is confronted with the choice between his 
or her personal interests and that of the public's, then the right 
thing to do is resign and let courageous people take over.

When next year comes around the supes will be confronted with the 
same troubling issue as this year: should we think of ourselves or 
should we think of the people we serve?

Jeffrey Schwartz

Arcata
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom