My ongoing correspondence with my employees in Washington continues.  Back in October, I wrote to Rep. Henry Waxman and Senators Feinstein and Boxer regarding the report issued by the Global Cannabis Commission in particular, and this country’s backwards, illogical marijuana laws in general.  Yesterday, Senator Boxer’s office sent this reply:

Dear Mr. Adams:

Thank you for contacting me about the legalization of marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you.

Although I do not support the legalization of drugs for recreational use, I do believe that medical doctors should be allowed to use their best judgment, consistent with federal law, in deciding on the most effective treatment for their patients, especially those with terminal illnesses.

Again, thank you for writing to me. Please feel free to contact me again about this or any other issue of concern to you.

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Polite, curt and completely dismissive towards the substance of my letter.  I hold onto my naive idea that those who are elected to represent my interest should at least pay me the courtesy of actually addressing my concerns.  As such…

Senator Barbara Boxer

I appreciate your office taking the time to respond to my letter.  What I do not appreciate is the fact that you did not even bother addressing the specific issues that the letter addressed.  I’ll cut to the chase and ask you two specific questions.

When all the scientific, medical and criminal evidence tells us that marijuana poses significantly less harm to the individual user and to society as a whole than legal substances like alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs, why do you and your colleagues insist on maintaining the illogical stance of complete prohibition?

Further, when our state is facing a financial crisis, why would you and your colleagues continue to ignore the potential tax revenue from a cash crop with an estimated worth of up to $14 billion?

As always, thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Nick Adams