Fullerton reverses itself on medical marijuana

Sunday, February 24, 2008 - Orange County Register
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/police-marijuana-fullerton-1986559-city-officials

Editorial: Fullerton reverses itself on medical marijuana

Fullerton reverses itself on medical marijuana,
by giving in to politics of fear.

The city of Fullerton was well on its way to
adopting a simple and sensible approach to
medical marijuana, after voting 3-2 to allow
heavily regulated cannabis dispensaries to
operate in the city. California state law allows
them to operate, and the Orange County Board of
Supervisors voted to create a medical-marijuana
ID card so that sick people could have a legal
means to buy the marijuana that helps them. This
was a welcome freedom-friendly change from some
other local cities, which have rushed to shut out
any such clinics – often by trading in
unsubstantiated allegations that the dispensaries
become havens for crime and illicit drug use.

Councilman Dick Jones, who unfairly depicted the
many sick people who use medical marijuana as
"druggies," and Councilman Don Bankhead, a
retired police officer, voted "no." Mayor Sharon
Quirk and council members Shawn Nelson and Pam
Keller voted "yes." They correctly argued that
city councils are sworn to uphold state law, and
that the question of whether marijuana is
appropriate medicine is not the matter at hand.
Voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 215
in 1996, and the measure even passed in the city
of Fullerton.

But then the Fullerton Police Department began
exercising its political muscle. Police officials
engaged in a sting operation. They went to Venice
Beach and obtained a prescription, then came back
to Fullerton and bought marijuana at a hotel room
using a Costco card as an ID. Police officials
lobbied against the dispensaries proposal, and
city staff provided council members with
information stacked against the proposal.
Government officials don't like change, and
police officials often forget they are supposed
to uphold, not write, the laws.

Under such pressure, Councilman Nelson, a
Republican, and Mayor Quirk, a Democrat, rolled
over and switched their votes, proving once again
that political cowardice is a bipartisan
condition. Only Councilwoman Keller held her
ground and voted to allow the clinics to operate
in Fullerton, provided they follow a number of
strict conditions. In response to the police
sting, Ms. Keller reminded us that such illegal
sales have nothing to do with the proposed law –
they happen today anyway. She's concerned that
"no one has an opportunity to buy it legally."

She blames the switched vote on fear: "This is
not a moral issue, and it's not about drugs. It's
about compassion. … We need to stand up for
people who can't stand up for themselves."

It's also about freedom. But standing up for
state law, individual freedom and compassion are
rare commodities among politicians fearful of
political repercussions

Our Grass Roots Organization will only thrive
with the participation of the Community.

Please give what you can as a Volunteer or
Contributor or simply by spreading the word.

EDUCATION is the single most powerful tool for positive change in our society

Thank you for whatever support you can offer this cause.

Sincerely,

Marvin Chavez, Sr.

Patient

Executive Director

Orange County Patient/Doctor/Nurse Support Group

P.O. Box 6826

Santa Ana, California 92706

Phone: 714-836-6997

E-mail: marvinchavezsr [at] roadrunner.com

This organization is committed to educating California citizens regarding

the medical applications of cannabis and adherence to the law of Prop. 215.

Please forward it to anyone you know who also supports this cause