Eltife’s bill to allow cannabis-based drugs should pass

Published 7:35 pm Saturday, January 31, 2015

1. Texas woman arrested for having nearly 400 pounds of marijuana
2. Alaska becomes 3rd state with legal marijuana
3. Family with epileptic son backs cannabis bill
4. Young girl’s story may lead Idaho to approve marijuana oil
5. Rep. Simpson bill would legalize marijuana in Texas
6. Marijuana legalization supporters rally in Tyler
7. Nevada bill would allow sick pets to use medical marijuana
8. Marijuana lawyers popping up after pot legalization
9. Medical marijuana oil bill approved by Senate

I commend state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, for filing Senate Bill 339 making certain forms of cannabis legal in treating human diseases. I served as one of 31 members of the Republican State Platform committee at this past Republican State Convention. Besides immigration, the legal use of medical marijuana caused more controversy than any other subject.

We heard testimony from both sides of the issue but the impassioned pleas from those seeking use of medical cannabis for their loved ones was heart wrenching. In the end, due to political correctness, our party voted against common sense and compassion and the platform did not allow for the medical use of cannabis.

As a veterinarian, I have the ability to prescribe drugs hundreds of times more potent and addictive than marijuana, drugs such as those in the opioid classification, morphine and such. To deny the medical use of any drug which could be prescribed under the direction of a doctor giving relief to a suffering patient when no other drug would work is lunacy.

This bill is limiting the use of cannabis but at least it is a start. In time I would think the drug will be tried and accepted in a wider range of treatments.

This bill is just common sense and thank you Sen. Eltife.

Dwayne Collins, DVM

Edom

MARRIAGE

Since the Supreme Court, recently, decided to take up the issue of “same-sex” marriage, I think it time we all reconsider this matter and ask why the state is involved at all in the “institution” of marriage.

As a Christian, I believe it is ordained and blessed by God, and the government — state or federal — has no inherent authority whatsoever over this holy institution. It is a matter between me, my spouse and my God.

For non-Christians or non-believers, it is between them and their god and/or the vows they make with their partner.

Today there are many couples who co-habit without benefit of a license from the government. Does the government think it has a right to regulate that relationship? I think not.

Divorce occurs in about 50 percent of “licensed” marriages in the U.S. What, therefore, is the point of requiring a license in which most vow to “cherish the other in sickness and in health until death do us part,” but 50 percent violate that vow? Is it to raise money for government coffers? I doubt that.

The bottom line is the government, including the U.S. Supreme Court, needs to keep its nose out of personal relationships except in cases of abuse and abandonment of children by parents. All couples can and should have legal documents drawn up to provide them the necessary protection they desire, in case of separation or death, and the government should not be involved in these personal relationships in any manner.

David E. Pierson

Tyler

DEATH ROW

The recent front-page article in the Tyler Paper about those from our area who are on death row shows that swift justice continues to be a myth in our justice system.

We continue to house and feed murderers, and allow them to play the system — with attorneys’ assistance.

This serves to remind victims’ families about the horrible deaths of their loved ones.

Plus, the perpetrators talk about the cruel end their lives are facing, when actually they just go to sleep without being stabbed or shot or beaten.

Swift justice indeed.

Jim Turvan

Hideaway