Dream Weaver


The careful reader will note that the second and third paragraphs of this story that attribute a degree program in cannabis cultivation to CSU Monterey Bay are subsumed within the first paragraph that introduces a “dream” of the individuals featured on this article (“The vision of Marina as a medical-marijuana Nirvana has one big problem: a government unwilling to take the plunge,” Jan. 31-Feb. 6). Those two paragraphs should have been indented to clearly separate them from the rest of the story that reverts back to describing reality. And the reality is that CSU Monterey Bay does not have any such program or classes. - CSUMB_Administrator | via Web


(Editor’s note: Thanks for the grammar/punctuation/careful reader lecture there, skippy. It reminded me of that dream I had about showing up for the Econ 101 final naked and unprepared.)


Nowhere on the MPC website did I see any classes on cannabis cultivation. -Littlemonster | via Web


(Editor’s note: Sigh. See lecture, above.)


Your article contains a common error regarding the use of medical marijuana: “physician-issued prescriptions.” In the U.S., physicians can write prescriptions only for substances included in the United States Pharmacopoeia, or USP. Marijuana is not listed in the USP, thus, in this country, there is no such thing as “physician-issued prescriptions.” Instead, states that wish to allow the use of medical marijuana must pass state laws to do so. In California, the legislation allowing this is Proposition 215. So, what a prospective user of medical marijuana in California needs to buy it legally is a “Proposition 215 letter,” in which his physician “recommends” the use of marijuana to alleviate one or more medical conditions. 


Of course, marijuana is still listed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I substances are a category of drugs not considered legitimate for medical use. Included are heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and marijuana. Note that marijuana has some tough company in this schedule. Conceivably, the feds could choose to prosecute individuals that use marijuana for any purposes at all, including medical. The federal penalties are severe!


Ironically, the DEA, while claiming the medical uselessness of marijuana, won’t allow any research that might demonstrate its utility! - Albert Boosman, Ph.D. | via Web


Soledad Sweep


I’m very concerned about how we treat the most marginalized people in our society (“Swept up, but not away: Authorities clear Salinas’ Chinatown homeless camps,” posted Jan. 31). Where will these people go? What about their beloved pets? Walking a mile in their proverbial shoes may be illuminating. - Bryant Austin | via Facebook 


And where will most of the homeless end up? In Monterey County Jail instead of in a home, which they deserve. House them in Pebble Beach where there is plenty of room. - Sherry Lessen | via Facebook


The city makes a big deal about their periodic sweeps, yet they cannot accommodate the homeless anywhere. The city cares more about land speculation than it does about human beings. Two lots are fenced off now. The homeless will soon be in your neighborhood. - Thomas Paine | via Facebook


The dirt in this area is contaminated with lead. It isn’t safe for anyone. - Nicole Williams | via Facebook 


Juvie Plans


So people don’t want a new juvenile hall near Natividad Hospital? (“New juvie hall in East Salinas? No way, some say,” posted Jan. 29.) Well guess what? The current one is right next to the hospital already, as is the county jail. The fabric of the neighborhood stays the same regardless. A new one is needed. - Johnny Larra | via Facebook


I for one support the building of proper facilities, but we cannot take a moment to consider the option of where? It’s about green space; this town just keeps eating it up, which mean less activities for children, which means more kids in trouble. Children need places they can play in their neighborhoods, and our park space per human capita does not even come close to other communities. And we wonder why we have youth issues in Salinas? 


No one is against proper facilities. 


Children deserve proper facilities. 


There are just better options. - Kymm Navarrette | via Facebook


Only the violent or repeat juvenile offenders are in juvenile hall. If I am wrong, so be it. If not, then it makes sense to put these juveniles near their homes so they can be near their family. You see, the juvenile justice system is not out to punish them. - Dave Clark | via Web


A Picture is Worth a Rant


This is Phase Two of the Dunes Shea/Centex project (“The Weekly’s Facebook cover photo, of blighted barracks on the former Fort Ord,” posted Jan. 31). They blame the city of Marina for the mess, but the property is locked up while they wait to profit on building yet another water-sucking hotel with minimum wage jobs, and they had to be sued to pay prevailing wages for the workers on the First Phase, which gave us the ugly big-box butt hanging over the Welcome to Monterey Bay north entrance. The Army didn’t leave us blight; the Fort Ord Reuse Authority created it. - Luana Conley | via Facebook


Disgusting. Now, keep your eyes on this Monterey Downs proposal – what a travesty of some beautiful open space. For 20 years, while folks debated on “what to do,” FORA allowed the decay rather than letting the properties serve as even temporary housing for those without. No soup for you. - Elaine Giampietro | via Facebook


Looks like potential housing for the homeless being so rudely pushed out of Chinatown. - Linda Griffin Henke | via Facebook


Marketing Carmel


I would like to see small organic family farmers that have graduated from the Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association’s Farmer Education Program. (“What vendors would you like to see at the new farmers market in Carmel?” Posted Jan. 30 to Facebook.)


We need to support the local farmers that are growing our food! - Patricia Carrillo | via Facebook


Some medical marijuana vendors would be nice. - Alessandro Guzman | via Facebook