Binky
05-27-2005, 06:04 AM
CUT THE RED TAPE AROUND MEDICAL POT
Despite Nevada's permitting medicinal cannabis use, the few heroic people actually willing to provide medicinal cannabis face more bureaucratic red tape than brothel operators ["High and Dry," May 19].
A similar problem exists here in California, where terrified city councils are rampantly passing bans and moratoriums blocking new dispensaries.
As a glaucoma patient and cannabis user since 1968, I can personally attest to the therapeutic benefits of both the herb AND its legalization. But despite decisive margins of public support, somehow the actual dispensing of medical cannabis is too often seen as a major public risk or as "sending the wrong message to the children."
Children most assuredly need to stay away from substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, unprescribed pharmaceuticals and pot. Parents need to be diligent, knowledgeable, honest and communicate generously with their children.
It would be ludicrous to suggest that diabetics, or even OxyContin-or morphine-using patients travel to distant and scattered drug stores to fill their legitimate prescriptions. And who would suggest we should "protect the children" by sending adult drinkers 70 miles round-trip to get a case of beer?
It benefits no one for bona fide cannabis patients to be forced to either attempt to grow their own medicine, travel long distances or have to buy potentially tainted herb from random black-market street dealers.
It is time for the various city councils and other authorities involved to streamline the Byzantine regulatory hurdles, and help rather than hinder providers in their attempts to serve the legitimate needs of suffering patients.
RICK STEEB
SAN JOSE
2005sLas Vegas City Life
Contact: obrien@lvpress.com
Website: http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/
Despite Nevada's permitting medicinal cannabis use, the few heroic people actually willing to provide medicinal cannabis face more bureaucratic red tape than brothel operators ["High and Dry," May 19].
A similar problem exists here in California, where terrified city councils are rampantly passing bans and moratoriums blocking new dispensaries.
As a glaucoma patient and cannabis user since 1968, I can personally attest to the therapeutic benefits of both the herb AND its legalization. But despite decisive margins of public support, somehow the actual dispensing of medical cannabis is too often seen as a major public risk or as "sending the wrong message to the children."
Children most assuredly need to stay away from substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, unprescribed pharmaceuticals and pot. Parents need to be diligent, knowledgeable, honest and communicate generously with their children.
It would be ludicrous to suggest that diabetics, or even OxyContin-or morphine-using patients travel to distant and scattered drug stores to fill their legitimate prescriptions. And who would suggest we should "protect the children" by sending adult drinkers 70 miles round-trip to get a case of beer?
It benefits no one for bona fide cannabis patients to be forced to either attempt to grow their own medicine, travel long distances or have to buy potentially tainted herb from random black-market street dealers.
It is time for the various city councils and other authorities involved to streamline the Byzantine regulatory hurdles, and help rather than hinder providers in their attempts to serve the legitimate needs of suffering patients.
RICK STEEB
SAN JOSE
2005sLas Vegas City Life
Contact: obrien@lvpress.com
Website: http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/