"Public lands are being polluted...okay, what about every other square foot of the country?" "What about the toxic drugs that end up in the water supply?" "Do you have a point?"

You must be aware, by reading this blog, that I am well aware of the pollution that is rampant in every square inch of the globe. I am also very aware that people piss into the water system the toxic drugs given them by their doctors; I personally don't use prescription or "illegal" drugs, don't drink alcohol, in fact don't drink anything except water, don't smoke tobacco or anything else, for that matter. I am guilty, however, of taking supplements, and yes, I do piss whatever remnants of those into the sewer system; I haven't gotten to the point of being a urine-drinker, which would eliminate that problem.

I am, however, a supporter of legalized marijuana for medical purposes, as I used to be a hospice social worker and witnessed first hand how marijuana relieved the nausea of a woman with cancer I was working with. I also support the legalization of marijuana use for the general adult population, although I wouldn't use it myself. I figure that alcohol is legal and it causes severe problems in our society in terms of abusing it, so why not give marijuana the same chance of ruining peoples lives?

I was shocked when I read this article. I have long held the rather naive view that pot was grown in relatively small batches for personal use, with the existence of some larger-scale "commercial growers". I was not aware, until I read this article, that mafia-type operations were going on right on public lands, with such rampant disregard for the environment. Personally, I have no problems with pot growers that do so in an environmentally responsible manner. The people growing pot in the ways highlighted in this article are not being environmentally responsible. I don't care WHAT people are growing, from pot to crops to hemp, whatever, as long as it is DONE IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER. AND THAT IS MY POINT.

Thanks for your questions.