Pubdate: Tue, 20 Mar 2001
Source: Village Voice (NY)
Copyright: 2001 Village Voice Media, Inc
Contact:  36 Cooper Square, New York, NY 10003
Feedback: http://www.villagevoice.com/aboutus/contact.shtml
Website: http://www.villagevoice.com/
Authors: Yitzchak Fried, Gerry McGuiness, Christopher A. Assad
Note: 2 PUB LTEs, 1 LTE

HIGHER POWER

Following the publication of Andrew Friedman's feature article about my 
arrest for selling medical marijuana ["Sacrificial Lamb," March 6], my 
congregation, my family, and I were deluged by well-wishers. People who 
learned for the first time of my plight, as well as individuals who were 
personally helped by my work in the past, called, visited, and sent letters 
of support.

I greatly appreciate the words of encouragement and want to publicly thank 
everyone who has been sympathetic to my case.  Those who wish to contribute 
more substantially may send a donation to the "Ezra L." Legal Defense Fund 
at 1571 45th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11219.

May the Almighty, who "heals the sick" and "frees the chained," bless us 
all with love, kindness, and mercy.

Yitzchak Fried, Brooklyn

FRIED AT LAST

Having read Andrew Friedman's story on the arrest of Rabbi Yitzchak Fried, 
I am shocked that this poor man of G*d was victimized by the drug war.  I 
am glad that I left New York City many years ago. I now live in the San 
Francisco Bay Area, where the voters have legalized medical pot and pot 
laws are seldom enforced.  It is time to stand up against government 
oppression - there is no "drug war," just a war on the American 
People.  Free Rabbi Fried! Legalize medical pot now!

Gerry McGuiness, Heyward, California

HIGH JINKS

Even if I agree that marijuana actually has medical applications, I still 
have questions regarding the behavior of Rabbi Yitzchak Fried. For openers, 
where does the rabbi get his weed? Also, what qualifications does he have 
to screen his clients and assure the community that he is not supplying 
drugs to young users?  More important, why sell marijuana at all if his 
objective is to "relieve" the pain and suffering of heroin addicts? 
Finally, given that certain governments have legalized a lesser-strength 
marijuana for addicts and medical patients - a kind of marijuana light, if 
you will - why was the rabbi selling regular-strength shit?

Christopher A. Assad, Ottawa, Canada
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