Letters From OC Weekly Readers

‘Just Look at the Alternative-Medicine Section In Your Paper; You’re Practically Obligated to Defend These Loser Stoners’

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The OC sheriffs are known for being assholes [Nick Schou’s “Where There’s Smoke . . .” July 24]. They don’t like the fact they have to serve at the jails before they can roam the streets (or fairgrounds), looking for hardened criminals such as the dreaded marijuana smoker! I see people smoke pot all the time at concerts, and the only people who are getting out of control are the people drinking alcohol.

Madman, via ocweekly.com

The redneck cops of Orange County constitute its largest, most violent street gang.

Buster, Los Angeles, via ocweekly.com

I am supposedly legal to smoke cannabis. I say supposedly because Proposition 215 is a very murky statute. I would never trust the police and particularly the OC Sheriff’s Department to respect my valid Prop. 215 identification. As evidenced in this gentleman’s account of what happened to him at the fair, my ID is not worth much more than allowing me to shop at dispensaries. Just because the voters of California passed 215 doesn’t mean shit if local law officials still harass and beat up people smoking cannabis. We have to keep pushing this so we don’t hear unfortunate and ugly stories like this one again. Make cannabis legal. Period.

Kim, Costa Mesa, via ocweekly.com

I can tell you from 36 years of specializing as an RN in the field of substance abuse, the use of medical marijuana is, in many cases, being used to get high, rather than to control pain. If this man truly has a back injury from an auto accident, I bet he was “under the influence” of alcohol or drugs when it occurred. I see people all the time going from doctor to doctor, from hospital to hospital, requesting opiates or medical marijuana for—yep, you guessed it—”severe back pain.”

Karen, Laguna Hills, via ocweekly.com

I don’t get it. How could this guy be charged with resisting arrest if he had committed no offense for which he could be arrested? Obviously, the jackbooted, Nazi-rooted, goon squad in green uniforms have no concept of the law, which states that even if he didn’t have the medical ID card, he was guilty of a cite-and-release misdemeanor at most [Cal. H&S Code Section 11357 (b)].

Then again, if you are a member of a certain green-uniform-wearing, jackbooted, Nazi-rooted goon squad, you figure you can do anything you want. I hope he sues just for the hell of it.

Dunga, Irvine, via ocweekly.com

Sounds like this guy got the typical loop treatment. Why should he get special treatment? Just look at the alternative-medicine section in your paper; you’re practically obligated to defend these loser stoners. It is illegal to have weed at a place where drugs are prohibited, even if you have a medijuana card.

Dillhole, via ocweekly.com

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’
Still peddling your taco truck of racism, Arellano [Gustavo Arellano’s “Make Way for Tacos,” July 24]? If I thought you had enough “pride” to actually live in Mexico, I’d send you bus fare.

Jojo, via ocweekly.com

Keep up the good work, Gustavo. I always look forward to your articles.

VC, Santa Ana, via ocweekly.com

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
Just want to let you know how grateful all of us associated with Third Tree On the Left are for your wonderfully written, very generous story [Joel Beers’ “Branching Out,” July 24]. You have encouraged everyone to continue speaking out with honesty and passion. Onward!

Don, via e-mail

IN THE BAG
Great find on the Cambridge Satchel Co. [Vickie Chang’s Trendzilla, “More Bag, Less Buck,” May 15]. You made me a hero. I got my wife the retro brown satchel with her initials embossed on it, and she loves it. It totally fits her MacBook and makes her look bad-ass and a force to be reckoned with at work (a necessity!). The moment I read your column and saw the pic, I knew this would be my wife’s birthday present. I tore out the page and ordered the bag online a few weeks later. I think my total including shipping was, like, $160 or something. Total score!

Julie Deane personally contacted me—there was a hang-up with FedEx International and a P.O. box due to customs—and she was almost stereotypically kind (I believe the word “brilliant” came into play).

It was super-exciting for my wife to receive a surprise package from Europe, and on the phone, Julie told me that she had just shipped some bags off to Italian Vogue for a photo shoot. How can you do any better than getting something before Italian Vogue? Nice scoop!

Tom Neville, via e-mail

ANOTHER WISE LATINO
I’m glad you pointed out the Mexican support of Sonia Sotomayor [Gustavo Arellano’s ¡Ask a Mexican! July 24]. The Know Nothings love to emphasize conflict between Mexicans and every other group, including other Latinos. The Chicanos/Mexicans who play into that are an embarrassment. Boricuas, Chicanos, Cubanos, Dominicans, whatever. It’s all love!

Abraham, Los Angeles, via ocweekly.com

Letters may be edited for clarity and length. E-mail to letters@ocweekly.com, or mail to Letters to the Editor, c/o OC Weekly, 2975 Red Hill Ave., Ste. 150, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or fax to (714) 550-5908.