Pubdate: Sun, 29 Nov 1998
Date: 11/29/1998
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Author: William Jameson

It sickens me to think that the voters of this state passed
Proposition 215,only to have law enforcement and our courts thwart the
will of the people and do everything possible to keep medical
marijuana from those in need["Chavez faces prison,"Opinion,Nov. 20].

Instead of prosecuting those in need, it's time the law makers of
this state find a means of providing marijuana to the sick and dying
instead of turning them and the doctors into criminals.

We have enough criminals without having to create a new class of
criminals. Look at how it's set up and then try to find a legal way of
getting marijuana to those in need. You can't sell or give it away;
you can't buy it legally; you can grow it with a doctor's
prescription, but if a doctor prescribes it, he/she could lose his or
her license. And if you grow too much you could face charges of
cultivation with intent to sell.

In other words, those in need aren't able to get marijuana through any
legal channels and are forced to get it through the black market. This
is what the voters wanted to put and end to. So, in reality, our
courts want to keep drug dealers in business and put those in need in
jail. This isn't what I voted for when I voted in favor of Prop. 215.
And, yes, I did know what I voted for. Why vote at all, if what you
vote for won't be implemented. This just makes people more angry at an
already poor legal system.

William Jameson
Laguna Niguel