Get the facts straight

Dear Editor:

We’re writing in response to a letter that was printed in Wednesday’s Claremont COURIER.

It was written by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce.

The threats they make in this letter are so inaccurate and misleading, they should be embarrassed by them and themselves.

Safety. “Other dispensaries in the state have been targets of burglaries and robberies, not just in the facility, but also ‘follow home’ crimes where the patrons of such dispensaries have been the victims.”

Apparently, they can read police and anti-Medical Marijuana websites. They recite the same mantra.

Crime dictates where crime happens. Period.

Was that gentleman who got robbed in his own driveway in Claremont followed home from a dispensary? No. When there was an attempted murder followed by a suicide in Claremont a few weeks back, was Medical Marijuana involved there? No. The people that had $650,000 in jewelry stolen outside of a residence? No. None of these crimes involved medical marijuana, and yet they happened.

Medical Marijuana does not create criminals or crime.

Employment. “We are concerned with the issues that have surfaced in regards to the use of ‘medicinal marijuana’ and protecting employer’s rights in terms of testing and workplace use of marijuana.”

“Employers can fire workers found to have used medical marijuana even if it was legally recommended.” The California Supreme Court handed down this ruling on January 23rd, 2008. Barely 3 months ago, and the Claremont Chamber of Commerce knew nothing of it. The Daily Bulletin ran a 528-word story on it on January 24, 2008. The Claremont Chamber of Commerce is obviously concerned with the issues, just not enough to pay attention to them.

Third, Health. “Due to the fact that these facilities are not regulated pharmacies, it is unclear who would be in charge of enforcement of any health issues of such a facility including amounts, quality, cleanliness, etc.  The Chamber is concerned that either these issues would be the responsibility of city staff, or even worse, go completely unmonitored.”

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that exactly what Claremont city staff has already been working diligently on for a very, very long 8 months now? We were told we would have a progress report for some time now, and as of yet we haven't had one. We still hope for one soon.

In their letter they state that somebody that rents or leases a office to a Medical Marijuana dispensary could be raided by the DEA.

You would have to be oblivious to TV news, newspapers and radio to be unaware of this. I would presume in and around real estate circles, it’s common knowledge.

And lastly, my favorite part of this foreboding letter. “The Claremont Chamber of Commerce feels that it is a terrible business practice to open up our city, landowners and business districts to potential federal raids and prosecution.”

Exactly how would a DEA raid on one dispensary lead to federal prosecution of entire business districts? Not just one district mind you, but multiple districts. How could it possibly lead to a federal prosecution of the city of Claremont?

Could it be that the Claremont Chamber of Commerce is not above trying to use scare tactics? If you wish for the truth, here it is. The Claremont Chamber of Commerce should be ashamed of themselves for writing and attaching their name to such an appalling letter as this. Let alone submit it for publication anywhere. If they had thrown in a few “gateway drug” references, their horribly misleading letter would have been complete.

Dave and Darlene Matteson
Upland