As a resident of Madera County, I am requesting that reconsideration be given to the ban on medical marijuana dispensaries the Board of Supervisors enacted by unanimous vote Sept. 22.

I’ve been smoking marijuana for more than 50 years, though not continuously. Sometimes I sleep.

I am the father of four and grandfather of eleven, having been happily married to the same woman for 45 years. I enjoyed high (no pun intended … well, maybe) executive positions for decades in my chosen profession.

All eight of my daughters and sons-in-law are successful entrepreneurs, exceptional parents and staunch Republicans, deeply involved in their churches and communities.

Sheriff Anderson’s comments on medicinal marijuana seem embarrassingly provincial.

For example, his assertion that “cities with marijuana dispensaries saw an increase in crime” begs for independent verification.

The county counsel’s finding that “marijuana dispensaries would negatively impact the health, safety, and welfare of the community” is simply silly.

For more than 20 years, Dutch citizens over age 18 have been permitted to buy and use cannabis in government-regulated coffee shops. Even this non-medicinal policy has not resulted in escalating consumption. Rates of marijuana use in the Netherlands are far lower than those in the United States and rank average when compared to other European countries.

Setting aside recreational use, the proven medicinal benefits of marijuana are now far past mere anecdotal testimony.

One might as well condemn aspirin as a work of the devil.
I urge rescission of the Sept. 22 decision.

Peter Cavanaugh,
Oakhurst

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