Some comments are more sage than others, some comments less than sage.

rrspin.com believes it is time for state legislators to at least discuss the matter and consider calling for an end to its prohibition, even if it is just to allow its use for medical purposes or to allow farmers to grow varieties without THC as an alternative to tobacco, which, by the way, is also a drug.

First, let us say, with the laws the way they are now, what Kristopher Patterson was allegedly doing at his house is illegal and the police department had every right to seize the plants and the materials used in this operation and arrest him. Just because you feel marijuana should be legalized doesn't mean police can look the other way, they would be derelict in their duties if they did so and face a firestorm of trouble themselves.

We believe, however, the current marijuana laws are antiquated and need to have at least thorough review by our state elected officials.

We believe the state has to look past the Reefer Madness hysteria created by famed newspaperman William Randolph Hearst and the DuPont corporation which led to its prohibition in the 1930s.

Many laws on the books already reflect a departure from this outdated thinking, the thinking that marijuana is a killer drug used by crazed jazz hounds, freethinking liberals and rapists.

The punishment for simple possession of marijuana is not as harsh as the crime of drinking a beer underage, which we believe shows lawmakers at least recognize alcohol is a far more deadly drug than pot.

Law enforcement recognizes and knows crack cocaine is the scourge of the Roanoke Valley and that crimes committed against you, the car and house break-ins, the armed robberies, are fueled by its addiction.

Law enforcement rarely runs into a crime committed by a pothead to get that next fix.

The crimes, other than possession or manufacturing, marijuana does create here are brought on by turf wars by other drug dealers. Your GPS being stolen from your car, your guns being stolen from your home or cash being stolen from your purse, overwhelmingly reflects the cocaine problem here. We need to stop and be thankful that we're not overrun with the meth problem here because if it does hit, the crimes committed by methheads will far outweigh anything a crackhead has ever done to get a fix.

We believe study after study shows marijuana is no more harmful than cigarette smoking and we believe it is far safer than alcohol use.

We believe it serves more purposes, from clothing to fuels to food than tobacco in its heyday ever could.

Our founding fathers knew this.

"Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country," Thomas Jefferson said.

"Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere," said George Washington.

They recognized its value. Unfortunately, as this country progressed, companies like DuPont and purportedly several of the big oil companies, recognized its value and were threatened by it.

Instead of researching its commercial value beyond getting stoned, they lobbied congress and won without much debate.

Like Jefferson, we believe hemp serves a valuable purpose, and its production would help our economy.

While we know we are one small voice, we would encourage an open minded debate on the matter in Raleigh. One led by health experts, leaders in commerce, law enforcement and, yes, the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws.

Until laws are changed, there will be more stories like these in rrspin.com and other news outlets and until laws are changed, police have no choice but to make these arrests. If they did anything else they would be derelict in their duties — Editor.