Pubdate: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2007 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n867/a05.html?69827 Author: David S. Kestenbaum MUCH ADO ABOUT MARIJUANA Re "The DEA's rent control," editorial July 19 Bravo to The Times for calling the Drug Enforcement Administration's educational letters what they were -- threats. As the attorney for one of the marijuana collectives recently raided, there was a brief moment of hope when the Los Angeles County district attorney's office upheld the law of California and refused to file any charges regarding edible marijuana. Less than a month later, and just before the city of Los Angeles was supposed to institute a moratorium on opening any dispensaries, the DEA sent threatening letters to landlords that have resulted in numerous evictions, including that of my client. If only the federal government would focus this resolve to subvert the will of the voters here on finding Osama bin Laden. Then again, it's safer to chase medicinal marijuana patients. DAVID S. KESTENBAUM Van Nuys - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom