Dear Editor,
The voters of California approved the
”
Compassionate use of Marijuana
”
to be prescribed to those with very serious illnesses. Those
pro-pot supporters who are trying to push the state to approve
”
Recreational use of Marijuana
”
are beginning to understand that the people of California have
limits to their
”
compassion
”
and that their threshold has been exceeded. We are now beginning
to see the backlash.
Los Angeles, Claremont, and many other cities are beginning to
close these dispensary’s down. Many cities are outright banning
them. The courts are beginning to seriously address the issues.
Marijuana dispensary issue has zero to do with a lack of compassion
Dear Editor,
The voters of California approved the “Compassionate use of Marijuana” to be prescribed to those with very serious illnesses. Those pro-pot supporters who are trying to push the state to approve “Recreational use of Marijuana” are beginning to understand that the people of California have limits to their “compassion” and that their threshold has been exceeded. We are now beginning to see the backlash.
Los Angeles, Claremont, and many other cities are beginning to close these dispensary’s down. Many cities are outright banning them. The courts are beginning to seriously address the issues.
California’s Attorney General, Jerry Brown is setting up strict guidelines in accordance with the intent of the original law. Why are they doing this? One answer is that, when 18-year-old high school seniors in Santa Barbara can get a “marijuana card” from a doctor in a parking lot and at the same time get their marijuana, something is wrong. This is the crux of the issue. Doctors are issuing these cards to anyone for $150 to $200 for any supposed ailment. The doctor will even fill in the blank for the ailment just to help the so-called patient. Obviously, these doctors are not just doing this for 18-year-old kids; they are doing it for anyone who wants a card as long as they have the money.
One doctor told CNN he was making over $70,000 per month giving out these “recommendations”, they cannot call them prescriptions.
There is so much money involved in this business that many doctors cannot help but take advantage of it. In addition, there is no legal recourse against them at this time. The fight to stop a dispensary coming into Gilroy will continue until the state of California or the federal government finally sets strict and stringent guidelines for what ailments doctors can prescribe this drug.
Moreover, there must be harsh punishment for those doctors who break the law, such as loss of their license and prison time. They should be considered as drug pushers in my mind.
It is important to continue informing the citizens of Gilroy by getting the word out to our PTA leaders and the parents, to our schoolteachers and administrators, to our business leaders in the town, to our church leaders and their members.
Ron Kirkish, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
Don’t forget about the sports teams and activities at Christopher High
Dear Editor,
If I didn’t know better, by just reading the Dispatch I’d think Gilroy only had one high school. There is always extensive coverage of Gilroy High sports (even when they lose).
The Dispatch put a picture of kids having a light saber duel as part of the homecoming week. Did you realize that last week was Christopher High’s homecoming?
I understand that Christopher High does not have a very big sports program yet. But the kids there work hard and deserve some recognition.
Diane Soares, Gilroy
Editor’s note: We are getting used to having two high schools as well. With sports, full coverage has been limited to varsity sports. CHS does not have those yet, so we have, and will continue to cover JV and freshman sports on a limited basis. Help from coaches, who can report scores and details to us online, is essential. Also, please note that we are publishing a special commemorative section for the Christopher High official opening ceremony on Oct. 30.
Animal control services a joke in the City of Gilroy – what’s Council doing?
Dear Editor,
Does the Dispatch have any information on whether or not the Gilroy City Council will be reconsidering allocating a greater percent of budget to animal services for Incorporated Gilroy next fiscal year?
If someone in incorporated Gilroy finds a lost animal the current situation is you can:
1. Call the non-emergency police line and see if the animal control officer is available
2. Bring the animal to your vet to see if it has a tag that can be scanned
3. Bring and surrender the animal to the Humane Society on Ames Street in Milpitas – that is, if you’ve found a dog. If you’ve found a cat or kitten, the police department doesn’t handle it. Also, the San Martin Shelter won’t assist Incorporated Gilroy.
Santa Cruz Humane Society now puts down animals and would have to transfer any surrendered animals to the county where it was found. The San Jose facility has a surrender lobby, but I seem to be getting mixed information on whether or not Incorporated Gilroy resident’s can bring a lost or stray animal there. Milpitas is a bit of a haul (as is San Jose really) for animals lost here in Gilroy. I see a stray dog or two each week running down any given street between First Street, Monterey Road, Sixth Street, and Westwood. It is very difficult to wrangle them and it is sad that it is such a hassle especially on evenings and weekends to get them help.
Shelters and rescue locations are swamped with pets. With a city of more than 51,000 people and an average of two pets per household, it seems that expanding animal control services in Gilroy should be a priority. The City Council should be working with county services and local health care professionals to have a year-round shelter for human beings (we have many homeless and otherwise destitute persons who clearly are in need of other options than recycling revenue), as well as a year-round shelter for pets.
C.L. Taylor, Gilroy
