©1997 San Francisco Examiner

Bad dope

Police marijuanadispensary schemes in The City and San Mateo may sound
good, but citizens shouldn't give cops joint powers

SAN FRANCISCO has added itself to the list of local governments studying
whether they should let cops distribute marijuana to patients under the
compassionate use law approved by California voters a year ago. The City's
Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a request by Supervisor Sue Bierman
to hold a hearing on setting up a police dispensary. San Mateo County and
San Jose are looking into similar proposals.

Under Proposition 215, it's legal for someone who is seriously ill to use
marijuana, with a doctor's OK, for the relief of pain and other symptoms.
But the measure leaves murky who can cultivate and distribute the drug.
Local governments have considered numerous enforcement schemes, including
licensing distributors and licensing users. San Mateo County slapped a
moratorium on dispensaries in unincorporated areas while officials figure
out what to do.

Putting police in the marijuana distribution business carries a certain odd
logic, to some people. One motivation, apparently, is eliminating waste.
After policeseized marijuana is used as evidence at trial, it is detroyed.
And there's a lot of it. The San Mateo County Sheriff's office has $165,000
worth of marijuana stored in evidence lockers.

Another motivation is to provide sick people with free or lowcost
painkillers. The police, after all, get their evidence free.

Having cops as distributors quiets fears of possible corruption and of
supplies going to unqualified users.

But, all in all, we think this is a rotten idea. Cops aren't and
shouldn't be in the business of passing out drugs. After being stored for
months, or years, the marijuana wouldn't be the freshest in the world. Who
would be liable for its purity and safety? And don't you suspect that, far
from being "free," the operation would end up costing a big bundle?

Imagine just inside the entrance to the Hall of Justice a head shop with
burning incense and cops dressed as hippies. In back, Brownie Mary would be
taking a new batch out of the oven. Farfetched? In that case, maybe cops
should make deliveries or cruise around with bells tinkling like hipper
versions of the Good Humor Man.

What the cities' and counties' desperate quest really suggests is that
Prop. 215 needs corrective legislation to set reasonable rules statewide on
cultivation and distribution. The sick shouldn't be expected to grow their
own marijuana or deal for it on the black market. Neither should they have
to ask Officer Bill for a toke to ease their pain.