I was interested in the debate that took place on Wednesday at hastings College between ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford and the US Attorney for the Northern District of California Joseph Russoniello. What we got was a clear picture of just how unclear the picture was. The famed drug warrior, Russoniello, clearly showed signs of his own lack of clarity on the subject and made no qualms about expressing his conspiracy theory on medical marijuana. Speaking on law enforcement's viewpoints surrounding cannabis medicines he stated, "It may even have a cynical view of Proposition 215, and I share that cynical view — I make no bones about it," the prosecutor said, making clear his opinion that the medical marijuana debate is nothing more than a stalking horse for decriminalizing recreational use of the drug.

It is this type of statement, based on nothing more than opinion, that defeats the purpose of government in society by allowing our appointed officials concerned with "justice" to enforce bad laws based upon their egotistical thoughts and misinformation. Forget what medical organization after medical organization says. Forget the doctors. Forget the patients. The fact is that legalizing cannabis, even for medicinal use, hurts law enforcement's bottom line. They have built their straw house on this foundation and as more and more Americans realize the fallacy of their argument, the house begins to crumble.

Once a drug warrior, always a drug warrior. Maybe Russoniello will never get it. Maybe he will get cancer someday and then he will get it. His statements are based in a time of ignorance and he must realize that his antiquated statements are beginning to fall on deaf ears. Medical marijuana has been legal here in California for 13 years and our community has not fallen off of a cliff yet. How long can people simply tow the party line and base their arguments on slippery slopes and red herrings? 

Russoniello stated, "But we differentiate between those people who are claiming such conduct and those who are cultivating, who are distributing, who are trafficking marijuana for profit." Well, his department did not differentiate in my case. My probation officer who did my sentencing report clearly stated I was not motivated by profit, as I was over $100,000 in debt before the raid. Does this mean I can go then? Had the DEA ran a credit report would I not be on this miserable house arrest? Could my life have been different had they made this statement 18 months ago? Who knows?

What I do know is that there needs to be a much clearer picture of how medical cannabis providers and patients SHOULD be operating and less of the vague and unclear SHOULD NOTS that we keep hearing about. What is "reasonable compensation?" Where are the hundreds of thousands of patients supposed to get this medicine if not from growers and providers that god forbid get paid for their work? Why is this the only business in America where success is not rewarded but could land you in prison? These are all questions that loom on the horizon, but we know that there must be some type of conclusion come to sooner or later.

Hopefully Joseph Russoniello will be replaced soon by a person no so set in the ways of old. it may be time for him to retire into obscurity and leave the change and hope to the next generation. The jig is up. We know about the man behind the curtain and it is now time to be more honest and civil in these debates. Basing an entire argument on half-truths and blatant lies is unacceptable and the justice department should follow Eric Holder's lead and have a little class. The days of this drug warrior mentality are numbered, so sorry Mr. Russoniello. It has been a nice run.