Medical marijuana is causing problems in our community.

While I understand prescription marijuana helps the terminally ill feel more comfortable and gives them an appetite, it is clear that the privilege is being abused.

Many people with prescriptions are growing their plants in their yards. Not only does this present the problem of having it stolen and used illegally, but it is also an annoyance to neighbors.

I have a few friends that have neighbors with prescriptions, and the skunk smell coming from the plants next door is sickening. If people are going to grow pot they should do so inside their own homes and not disrespect the community by having the stench of the smelly plants drifting into other families homes, permeating their lives.

Another problem that is becoming more and more prevalent is the use of medical marijuana in public. Just as an example, I was at Western Gateway Park recently, at a 6-year-old's birthday party, and some parents at another birthday party were smoking their medical pot. The secondhand smoke was blowing our way, blowing into us, blowing into our children. Luckily our party was ending, so we were not subjected to it for long.

As this problem continues to grow we need to address these issues, especially if we want to keep our community clean and safe.

Edward Peevey

Grass Valley