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July 28, 2010

Massey, LePage don't understand marijuana

If journalist Amy Calder's July 20 article on a proposed moratorium on a marijuana dispensary in Waterville is at all accurate, Mayor Paul LePage and Police Chief Joseph Massey have been shown to have a complete lack of understanding of the issue.

The same logic that suggests the dispensary will spur crime and illegal marijuana sales (to say nothing of driving under the influence, etc.) could well be applied to any request to locate a pharmacy in town. There are pharmacies in Waterville, aren't there?

Pharmacies are known to deal in controlled drugs that are also sold on the street, abused by many people and are involved in "driving under the influence" offenses. Do we have pill pushers moving into areas to compete with Rite-Aid? Do they lower their prices to compete with Wal-Mart pharmacy? Are pharmacies compatible with your zoning ordinances?

For people who have medical conditions that can be improved through the use of medial marijuana, and there are many of those in our communities, the reactions of the mayor and the chief are demeaning and degrading.

If you don't believe there can be a medical use for marijuana -- then fight to get the law repealed. That is how our system of government works. Don't use your authority to impede the implementation of a law you don't agree with.

One hopes that LePage and Massey never find themselves suffering a "debilitating medical condition" and in need of a legal source of marijuana.

Bob King

Manchester

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