More Pot Research Needed

DANIEL WOOL'S article on www.santacruz.com, "Santa Cruz County Enacts Moratorium on Marijuana Dispensaries," highlights why a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries may be a good idea, but it fails to consider some of the big picture details. Before we start making definitive policy decisions regarding the marijuana industry, further scientific research is desperately needed in order to better understand marijuana's risks and benefits in order to effectively treat patients. Research is currently limited by a government monopoly on the marijuana supply through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), resulting in a stock of undiversified poor research due to the fact that NIDA's mission is counter to developing marijuana into a medicine. More research is needed before we can make sound policy decisions for medical marijuana dispensaries, and this can be accomplished by breaking the government's monopoly over the marijuana supply.

Stephen Morseman,

Santa Cruz

Disappointed By Obama

IF I had been working like mad in 2008 to get Obama elected because of some beauties in his rhetoric and had experienced what I have experienced now, I would not work for the midterm elections. Guantánamo is still there. Rendition is still there. There is the saying that no torture should take place; I haven't seen the mechanism to ensure that that's the case. The withdrawal from Iraq, with 50,000 remaining. Stepping up, escalating the war in Afghanistan. And as we know, whatever withdraws from Iraq essentially goes to Afghanistan instead.

I think it's very contrary to the kind of thing that he was exuding, including the nuclear point. What kind of thing is this, to get rid of old-fashioned weapons with the Russians and then arguing for $180 billion to modernize the nukes—$100 billion for the weapons carriers, $80 billion for new warheads? What kind of nuclear-free world is this? He should have had the decency, when Norway made the mistake of giving him the Nobel Peace Prize, of saying, "I graciously, gratefully decline. I haven't earned it yet. Let's come back when possibly I have earned it." He didn't say that, and dispensed with the prize money in a disgraceful way.

Ted Rudow III,

Menlo Park

Steer Clear of SeaWorld

THE DEATH toll continues to rise at SeaWorld after a 12-year-old orca named Sumar died at the theme park's San Diego location. Sumar died far short of the expected 50- to 60-year lifespan of orcas who roam the vast oceans, their rightful homes.

Orcas are intelligent marine mammals who think and plan and work cooperatively. They share complex extended family relationships and swim for up to 100 miles every day. At SeaWorld, their worlds have been reduced to tiny, barren concrete tanks where they perform tricks for food and splash shrieking crowds.

These animals will continue to live and die in misery as long as the public buys a ticket. The next time your family is considering a trip to SeaWorld, please ask yourself if it's right to expect the lifelong confinement of intelligent and aware animals for a few hours of diversion. Please say no. Visit www.PETA.org to learn more.

Jennifer O'Connor,

PETA

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