After reading this thread I had to comment as I was horrified by the way the coverage was provided on this story.

First – if the photos were “staged” – or set up to get a good pic of them smoking grass and nobody else around there saw them – then the Trib is incorrectly portraying them as flaunting their use, and portraying the medical marijuana community in a negative light.

Second – Again – if the photos were “staged” to get them on the civic center steps or in the park for the purposes of the photo opportunity – they baited them into breaking the law.

HOWEVER – Mr Christ – claiming the position he has with Montana Caregivers – should at no time EVER break the laws and he should be completely and fully informed and AWARE AT ALL TIMES before participating in any event like this. Especially in an “educator” capacity!

This was not a good day for the medical marijuana community – and it’s too bad it had to be this way. It could have been so much better – and positive. How about some patient stories – struggles – WHY do they even have the clinics in the first place? Talk about the medical community and “conventional” doctors refusal to support.

I did not attend a “clinic” to gain my certification – and I did not get certification from my family physician of 20+ years. I took my medical records to another physician over 100 miles from where I live – and I had to wait 4 months for my appointment!

I don’t want to lose my privledge to have my medication because of some foolish reporter who had to get the “good shot” or some fool running “clinics” with disregard to the law.

I DO NOT behave that way – and I hate being portrayed as such. Many others of us do not behave in that manner either.

You need to travel, as Mark Twain might remind you. I know a lot of stuff, see a whole lot more than you credit me for. For instance, I see right through Natelson and> Harry Reid and Max Baucus. How many others can you say that about?

And, I know some big words, and use them occasionally, like unambiguous, pusillanimous, umbrella, and piss-antsy.

Can’t you see anything other than through your oppressive, white, male, patriarch jaundice?

And Mihalis, the why is a little hard to grasp, but it has to do with keeping minorities in check. Police can arbitrarily enforce drug laws, and do – white people are seldom troubled by cops on their doorstep. But if you are black or Hispanic, or if you just live in a poor part of town, you learn to be very careful. Cops are on the lookout.

Far too many of our inmate population, the highest per capita in the world, are minority and are there due to minor drug offenses.