Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2000 Source: Auburn Journal (CA) Copyright: 2000 Auburn Journal Contact: 1030 High St., Auburn, CA 95603 Website: http://www.auburnjournal.com/ Author: L.J. Carden Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1293/a01.html WHO ARE THE PEOPLE? I have spent the better part of six days, over the last couple of weeks, in your beautiful part of our state. I have been attending the medical marijuana trial of Steve and Michele Kubby. It has been very interesting and informative watching the adversarial skills of the opposing attorneys. Watching the judge's expressions as he listens attentively to each side, knowing his power and being so fair and cool with it is our justice system at work. I do, however, have a problem with the district attorney calling his side of this case "the people" this and "the people" that. The real "people" of this state voted four years ago to allow people just like the Kubbys, and many more of us, to do just what the Kubbys were doing. So, just who are the "people" the district attorney is referring too? For years we were, told "if you don't like the way things are then change them." Well, we did change one of the things that we felt was wrong. That marijuana can be used, cultivated, possessed, grown or provided to seriously ill people who are in one way or another given some relief by this God-given plant. It was Proposition 215, and it became Health and Safety Code Statute 11362.5. It is the law now - here in California. The people, the voters, the taxpayers have said to allow the compassionate use of marijuana. So why is all this time and money being wasted on these or any other patients who are now obeying the law? L.J. Carden, Concord - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D