ReageraMera

Citizens in states which have passed "medical" marijuana laws have grown tired of the marijuana-related crime, noise and abuse which "medical" marijuana dispensaries bring to neighborhoods.

Since California passed its "medical" marijuana law, more than 90 cities and counties in the state have had to pass moratoriums or bans on the distribution of marijuana in their communities. As a result of these abuses, only 24 out of California's 58 counties now issue marijuana ID cards. [FN1]

The average marijuana dispensary in California makes $20,000 in profit each day. Marijuana providers buy pot wholesale from street dealers and resell it for twice the amount. [FN2]

In North Hollywood, California alone, there are now more "medical" pot clubs than Starbucks outlets. Less than two years ago, there were only four marijuana dispensaries in Los Angles. Today, there are more than 100. [FN3]

A story from the T.V. news show 60 Minutes shows that "there are legions of people buying "medical" marijuana for the sole purpose of getting high." They are getting marijuana for such conditions as dry skin, hair loss and because high heels hurt a woman's feet. According to 60 Minutes, the "medical" marijuana they buy goes under the names of: Snow White, Super Girl, Afghan Dreams, or New York Diesel. Does that sound like medicine? [FN4]

Some examples of the problems caused by the "medical" marijuana dispensaries are:

Street level dealers attempting to sell to people entering the business

Smoking of marijuana in public areas

Increased "driving while under the influence of marijuana" violations

Attempted burglaries of marijuana establishments

Robberies of clients as they leave businesses with their purchase

Adverse impact an neighboring businesses

Presence of a physician on the premises issuing prescriptions for use, which drew numerous people from out of the area

Lack of effort on the part of dispensary owners/employees to control unlawful or nuisance behavior in and around the business
 
Increased loitering and associated nuisances
 

Complaints that other illegal drugs were sold from the dispensaries
 
Trading of marijuana purchased at a dispensary to a minor for sex
  

Purchasers congregating and smoking marijuana in areas frequented by children
  

Sales of marijuana to persons not holding the appropriate certificate. [FN5]

Does this sound like the way we manage medicine?

References

[FN1]Vendor's Reefer Sadness LA Times, December 27th, 2006, LA City Beat, La, Ana, February 15th, 2007;  What Every American Should Know About Medical Marijuana, Office of National Drug Control Policy, 75017 th St. NW, Washington, D. C. 20503 (202) 395- 6618 http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/

[FN2] Glazer, Andrew. Medical Marijuana Clinics Face Crackdown, Associated Press, March 11th, 2007.

[FN3] Daily News Los Angeles, CA January 19th, 2007, Santa Cruz Sentinel, As We See It: Medical Marijuana Abuse?, March 12, 2007

[FN4] California Pot Shops, Morley Safer, 60 Minutes (CBS News) 12/30/2007

[FN5] Memorandum from Chief David Livingston, Concord California Police Department, to the Mayor and Council Members, August 29, 2003; http://www.californiapolicechiefs.org/ Then click on Medical Marijuana Dispensary Information .

It is important to ask the Attorney General to keep the raids going. The medical marijuana dispensaries violate federal law and have been subject to wide abuse.