" Until there is a change in the controversial law about pot we must deal with the facts. I agree with Nightmare... obviously the children are not in a safe environment. We must protect the innocents whether all you Hemp-heads agree or not. Facts are facts. Take a look at your environment, the sneaky pot smokers, the blatant objectors, the hippy-types, the I-think-I-care-but-not-really-protesters (whiners), none of you address the children and the affects this has on them. They don't have a choice. What about their rights? Get off your soapboxes and protect the children. Are any of you doing anything to change the law? I doubt it - complain, complain, complain. It's easy to blab away as you sit in your hovel or mansion in North Idaho. The drug problem here IS a PROBLEM. Protect the innocent children. "

" Idaho Spud, you have hit the nail on the head. Hemp is an amazingly versatile plant with an abundance of uses. Not utilizing this resource while we condone so many really damaging practices is the real insanity. "

" If pot were legal and controlled and taxed as is alcohol there would be none of this going on. There are responsible behaviors and irresponsible behaviors. These parents might have been wise to keep their kids out of the loop. So pot is illegal but people still smoke it. Speeding is illegal with more fatal consequences than pot, but everyday you can find people speeding all over Sandpoint. Perhaps they are the same people who protest those who want pot legalized. I ask, which would be more harmful to society, legalized pot or legalized speeding? "

" Most of you seem to be missing the point of this article... underlying yes, even dopers can read. The children's safety is the issue. Why do you overlook her safety and well being and go into banter about legalizing pot!?! It is obvious that the children are the sufferers whether pot is legal or not. If pot was legal I'll guarantee you the children would still be in an unhealthy environment. At 5 years old this little girl has already been a part of her parents and buddies activities which involve the law. Most likely this is far from her last experience. Twenty years from now she will either be for or against pot smoking and growing (her parents probably came from pot smokers also). She will most definitely remember when her parents got busted. Let's start taking care of the children now. It's too late for the druggers and the SUPPORTERS of the druggers. Tough luck for those of you who "don't smoke" and support. The children must be societies highest priority. Hmmm, "daddy busted at gas station 2007" - I can see this in the 5 year olds baby book now. Stop being selfish idiots!!! "

" I agree with you on this one, Sugar. And, I'm not a user! The economic plight of our farmers could be mostly solved if the Gov't would legalize HEMP (it's not pot). They could then grow a crop that produces 7 times more celulose per acre that the forests (every year!) without fertilizer, chemicals, or irrigation. Hemp clothing is durable a comfy, innumerable industrial oils and compounds are extracted from hemp. Guess who wants to keep hemp farming illegal? Big oil, pharmaceuticals, the corn industry. As far as pot goes, it is no worse than any other "drug" we westerners use, from tobacco to acohol to Valium. Refer Madness is a myth. Leagaize it all! "

" It's illegal. If you don't like the law change it. Or vote for pro-drug candidates who will change it. Until then stop complaining about the cops doing their jobs, enforcing the laws enacted by represatives of the people. "

" In reading the blog that followed the article, I was amazed that this many people even read the Daily Bee...so much for potheads being illiterate. "

" Its funny that theres only a couple things here that really spark heated debate: 1. Milfoil 2. The Byway 3. Marijuana Its like people think that pro marijuana means people just smoking dope. They make no mention of the renewable resource applications, fuel alternatives, wood and paper alternatives, food. You can sell it for 5000$ a pound. Thats a direct result of supply and demand. For centuries hemp was widely recognized and utilized as the wonder plant it is. Its your arrogant, hateful attitudes that keep it illegal, that and the profits netted by the timber and phamaceutical companies. Go ahead, stay stupid. Follow laws that are immoral or injust just because they are laws. Its people like you that would have stayed under british rule, insted of rising up, and taking a stand against things that are not OK. Thank god and veterans for free speech, as you are entitled to your backward, nonprogressive approach to life in general. Keep living in your leave it to beaver wonderland that only exsists in your mind, but in the mean time, stay out of my way. Just remember, a friend with weed, is a friend indeed. "

" Bottom line guys!!!! Its Illegal!!!!! "

" "The 5-year-old told a trooper of her parent's marijuana garden, which lead to the search of the McLennans' property on July 4." WHY can't the Bee get it right? The word is LED, not LEAD! The BEE if rife with errors like this, which is the main reason I will never be a subscriber. It's pathetic that journalism majors - at least, I would expect that the reporters have college degrees in journalism - can't spell, use proper grammar, or get facts right. "

" pot smokers unite, take to the streets, don't stand for this, get some signs have a protest...Oh you don't want to do this? What are you afraid of? What POT's not legal!!! Show your faces, be proud. At least gay people have come out of the closet, stood up for there rights, even though everyone still looks at them funny and talks behind thier backs. Hell even the KKK stands up for them selfs, not you pot smokers, lite up a bowl, talk crap, (and you won't remember an hour later), then cry about it when someone gets busted and puts their kids in danger...I hope a seed pops in your eye... "

" Pot SHOULD be illegal. For a five year old child to "spill the beans" is a clear indication that the parents are being totally irresponsible by carrying on their illegal practice. The children are in harms way. The duty of the police is to protect whether or not the hippies like it or not. If it takes a wake-up call to the idiot pot growers... then wake up! It is illegal to grow the pot. Where do you old and new hippies get the nerve to whine about the legalities or present their rationalizations? Just take a look at the statistics. Illegal drugs including huge consumptions of alcohol and legal drugs cause tremendous problems for families, children, siblings, parents, friends and associates. You druggers and supporters of druggers need to get a grip. Many lives are completely destroyed because of illegal drug use. Pot smoking DOES affect every single person involved with the smoker and grower. Get out of the POT SMOG and wake up to life without substances that alter your perspectives. This obviously is NOT only a North Idaho problem. Be careful the next time you are in a fender-bender. Chances are, hidden away in the trunk of the vehicle in front of you is a portable meth lab. You think they may be POT smokers and growers too?! "

" The State Police probably went to go have a stiff drink after work to celebrate their big arrest. "

" When will polive stop waisting their time with marijuana and do something for the community that actualy makes a difference, weed aint no bad drug "

" Gee Rob, you must be one of them! The old hippies are back in force, especially in N. Idaho. What a combination. Dope smokers and rednecks. They should put that on the marketing pitch for Sandpoint! "

" It will be a crime. With so many prisons built in certain parts of the country, by private, for profit corporations, they need some way to fill up all those beds. Without pot laws and the war on drugs, the prisons would be largely empty. Meanwhile the sexual offenders of children get off time and time again, ala Duncan. But keep those potheads illegal because so many Americans smoke pot, it is almost certain to keep those prisons profitable. To solve most problems...follow the money. "

" Pot, crack or tobacco, everyone here seems to be smoking something. Yeah, that's kind of a Bonner County trademark. What tickles me is how the dope smokers don't believe they could possibly be doing anything illegal. Since they don't agree with the law, they can't possibly be breaking a law. And they really believe it. "

" To no idea: There are many dope smokers everywhere. No idea, indeed. "

" I had no idea there were so many dope smokers in N. Idaho- look at all of you!! Is anyone sober up there? "

" Nothing is worth the chance of having your kids taken away. They knew darn well that when they started growing pot that if they were caught their kids would be taken. This should not have come as a surprise to them. I'm not saying that I agree that pot should be illegal. I think we have much bigger issues to deal with. At the same time, I would never, never knowingly do anything to jeopordize my kids! "

" I'll certainly sleep better now that our brave police have removed this threat from our community. "

" Genital Herpes 054.10, Herpetic infection of penis 054.13, AIDS Related Illness 042, Post W.E. Enephalitis 062.1, Chemotherapy Convales V66.2, Shingles (Herpes Zoster) 053.9, Radiation Therapy E929.9, Viral B Hepatitis, chronic 070.52, Viral C Hepatitis, chronic 070.54, Other arthropod bone disease 088, Lyme Disease 088.81, Reiters Syndrome 099.3, Post Polio Syndrome 138.0, Malignant Melanoma 172.9, Other Skin Cancer 173, Prostate Cancer 186, Testicular Cancer 186.9, Adrenal Cortical Cancer 194.0, Brain malignant tumor 191, Glioblastoma Multiforme 191.9, Cancer, site unspecified 199, Lympho & reticular ca 200, Myeloid leukemia 205, Uterine cancer 236.0, Lymphoma 238.7, Graves Disease** 242.0, Acquired hypothyroidsm 244, Thyroiditis 245, Diabetes Adult Onset 250.0, Diabetes Insulin Depend. 250.1, Diabetes Adult Onset Uncontrolled 250.2, Diabetic Renal Disease 250.4, Diabetic Ophthalmic Disease 250.5, Diabetic Neurpathy 250.6, Diabetic Peripheral Vascular Disease 250.7, Hypoglycemia(s) 251, Lipomatosis 272.8, Arthropathy, gout 274.0, Mucopolysaccharoidosis 277, Porphyria 277.1, Amyloidosis 277.3, Obesity, exogenous 278.00, Obesity, morbid 278.01, Autoimmune disease 279.4, Hemophilia A 286.0, Henoch-Schoelein Purpur 287.0, Senile Dementia+ 290.0, Delerium Tremens+ 291.0, Schizophrenia(s) 295.x, Schizoaffective Disorder 295.7, Mania 296.0, Major Depression, Single Episode 296.2, Major Depression, Recurring 296.3, Bipolar Disorder 296.6, Autism/Aspergers 299.0, Anxiety Disorder+ 300.00, Panic Disorder+ 300.01, Agoraphobia 300.22, Obsessive Compulsive Di. 300.3, Dysthymic Disorder 300.4, Neurasthenia 300.5, Writers’ Cramp**** 300.89, Impotence, Psychogenic 302.72, Alcoholism+ 303.0, Opiate Dependence+ 304.0, Sedative Dependence+ 304.1, Cocaine Dependence+ 304.2, Amphetamine Depend 304.4, Alcohol Abuse+ 305.0, Tobacco Dependence 305.1, Psychogenic Hyperhidrosi 306.3, Psychogenic Pylorospas** 306.4, Psychogenic Dysuria 306.53, Bruxism 306.8, Stuttering* 307.0, Anorexia Nervosa 307.1, Tic disorder unspecific 307.20, Tourette's Syndrome 307.23, Persistent Insomnia 307.42, Nightmares 307.47, Bulemia 307.51, Tension Headache 307.81, Psychogenic Pain 307.89, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 309.81, Organic Mental Disorder hd inj 310.1, Post Concussion Sydrome 310.2, Nonpsychotic Organic Brain Disorder 310.8, Brain Trauma 310.9, Intermittent Explosive Disorder 312.34, Trichotillomania 312.39, ADD w/o hyperactivity 314.00, ADD w hyperactivity 314.01, ADD other 314.8, Pschogenic PAT 316.0, Parkinsons Disease 332.0, Huntingtons Disease+ 333.4, Restless legs syndrome 333.99, Friedreich’s Ataxia 334.0, Cerebellar Ataxia 334.4. Spinal mm atrophy II 335.11, Amytrophic Lateral Sclero 335.2, Other spinal cord disease 336, Syringomyelia 336.0, Reflex Sympath Dystroph 337.2, Multiple Sclerosis 340.0, Other CNS demyelinating 341, Hemiparesis/plegia 342, Cerebral Palsy+ 343.9, Quadriplegia(s) 344.0x, Paraplegia(s) 344.1x, Paralysis, unspecific 344.9, Epilepsy(ies)+ 345.x, Grand Mal Seizures** 345.1, Limbic Rage Syndrome** 345.4, Jacksonian Epilepsy** 345.5, Migraine(s)+ 346.x, Migraine, Classical+ 346.0, Cluster Headaches 346.2, Compression of Brain 348.4, Tic Doloroux+ 350.1, Bell’s palsy 351.0, Thoracic Outlet Synd 353.0, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 354.0, Mononeuritis lower limb 355, Charcot-Marie-Tooth 356.1, Neuropathy+ 357, Muscular dystrophies 359, Macular Degeneration** 362.5, Glaucoma 365.23, Dyslexic Amblyopia** 368.0, Color Blindness* 368.55, Conjuctivitis 372.9, Drusen of Optic Nerve 377.21, Optic neuritis 377.30, Strabismus & other binoc 378, Nystagmus, Congenital 379.5, Meniere's Disease 386.00, Tinnitus 388.30, Hypertension+ 401.1, Ischemic Heart Disease 411.X, Angina pectoris 413, Arteriosclerotic Heart Dis 414.X, Cardiac conduction disord 426.X, Paroxysmal Atrial Tach** 427.0, Post Cardiotomy Syndrom 429.4, Raynaud’s Disease 443.0, Thromboangiitis Obliteran 443.1, Polyarteritis Nodosa 446.0, Acute Sinusitis 461.9, Chronic Sinusitis 473.9, Chronic Obst Pulmo Dis 491.90, Emphysema 492.8, Asthma, unspecific 493.9, Pneumothorax, Spontaneo 512.8, Pulmonary Fibrosis 516.3, Cystic Fibrosis 518.89, Dentofacial anomaly pain 524, T.M.J Sydrome 524.60, GastroEsophgeal Rflx Dis 530.81, Acute Gastritis 535.0, Gastritis+ 535.5, Peptic Ulcer/Dyspepsia 536.8, Colitis, Ulcerative 536.9, Pylorospasm Reflux 537.81, Regional Enteri & Crohns 555.9, Colitis+ 558.9, Colon diverticulitis 562.1, Constipation 564.0, Irritable Bowel Synd. 64.1, Dumping Syndrome Post Surgery 564.2, Peritoneal pain 568, Hepatitis-non-viral 571.4, Pancreatitis 577.1, Nephritis/nephropathy 583.81, Ureter spasm calculus 592, Urethritis/Cystitis 595.3, Prostatitis 600.0, Epididymitis** 604.xx, Testicular torsion 608.2, Pelvic Inflammatory Dis 614, Endometriosis** 617.9, Premenstrual Syndrome+ 625.3, Pain, Vaginal 625.9, Menopausal syndrome 627.2, Sturge-Weber Disease 759.6, Eczema 692.9, Pemphigus 694.4, Epidermolysis Bullosa 694.9, Erythma Multiforma 695.1, Rosacea 695.3, Psoriatic Arthritis 696.0, Psoriasis 696.1, Pruritus, pruritic+ 698.9, Atrophy Blanche 701.3, Alopecia 704.0x, Lupus 710.0, Scleroderma 710.1, Dermatomyositis 710.3, Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syn. 710.5, Arthritis, Rheumatoid+ 714.0, Felty’s Syndrome 714.1, Arthritis, Degenerative 715.0, Arthritis, post traumatic+ 716.1, Arthropathy, Degenerative+ 716.9, Patellar chondromalacia 717.7, Ankylosis 718.5, Multiple joints pain 719.49, Intervertebral Disk Disease 722.x, L-S disk disorder sciatic nerve irritation 722.1, IVDD Cerv w Myelopathy 722.71, Cervical Disk Disease 722.91, Cervicobrachial Syndrome 723.3, Lumbosacral Back Diseas 724.x, Spinal Stenosis 724.02, Lower Back Pain 724.5, Peripheral enthesopathies 726, Tenosynovitis 727.x, Dupuytens Contracture 728.6, Muscle Spasm 728.85, Fibromyagia/Fibrositis 729.1, Osgood-Schlatter 732.4, Tietze’s Syndrome 733.6, Melorheostosis 733.99, Spondylolisthesis** 738.4, Cerebral Aneurism 747.81, Scoliosis 754.2, Spina Bifida Occulta 756.17, Osteogenesis imperfecta 756.51, Ehlers Danlos Syndrom 756.83, Nail patella syndrome 756.89, Peutz-Jehgers Syndrome** 756.9, Mastocytosis 757.33, Darier’s Disease 757.39, Marfan syndrome 759.82, Sturge-Weber Eye Syndrome** 759.6, Insomnia+ 780.52, Sleep Apnea 780.57, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 780.7, Tremor/Invol Movements 781.0, Myofacial Pain Syndrome**782.0, Anorexia+ 783.0, Hyperventilation 786.01, Cough+ 786.2, Hiccough+ 786.8, Vomiting 787.01, Nausea+ 787.02, Diarrhea 787.91, Pain, Ureter 788.0, Cachexia 799.4, Vertebral dislocation unspecific 839.4, Whiplash 847.0, Back Sprain 847.9, Shoulder Injury Unspec 959.2, Fore Arm/Wrist/Hand 959.3, Hip 959.6, Knee, ankle & foot injury 959.7, Motion Sickness 994.6, Anaphylactic or Reaction 995.0, Trachoria Growths***1 ???.? + Represents citations from pre-1937 medical literature *From Eugene Schoenfeld, M.D. **From Dale Gieringer, PhD CA NORML Hotline ***From Robert Wilson, Hayward Hempery **** Barry R. McCaffrey 12-30-96 Press Conference This is your brain on Drugs, any questions? "

" Although I'm against marijuana being illegal, having an operation such as this can put children in danger. Danger from individuals who might think it could be profitable by stealing the plants. This is where the children could come into harm from guns or other criminal elements. When the quantites start getting to the point of thousands of dollars, the bad guys are always close behind. This puts their own family and possibly neighbors in dangers path. "

" Ok I would really like to blast the people that made the stupid comments, that are obviously against marijuana, but, the facts speak for themselves. Marijuana is listed as a class one drug, meaning its is dangerous, and has no medicinal value. That is simply false, but because the government says no, largely because of lobbying tobbaco industry and the pharmaceutical industry, both of whom would lose billions if legalized, it continues to be a controlled substance. Its funny that 11 of fifty states have passed marijuana reform laws, but the red state people that brought you the bush administration, still are up in arms about legalization. Let me tell you, its only a matter of time. Whine and cry all you want, but it is medicine, and it helps sick people and its cheap to produce. Boy those sound like good reasons to prosecute to me. Then theres people like opinionated, who say garbage like Im glad she spoke up. That child had NO IDEA of what the cops would do to her parents and is now in foster care. Can you imagine if it was you? Seeing your parents hauled away and left in the care of strangers? It will definately make an impact on her, but I doubt the one youd expect. Somehow I cant see her with a big smile on her face thinking, Ya those bad parents of mine and their evil marijuana. No she will most likely grow up hating the system, that broke up her family. The war on drugs is a joke! Ever wonder why you dont see any DARE vehicles anymore? Because it was a joke!! And had zero results!! Just another waste of taxpayer money. Like the so called WAR on drugs, which has been about as effective as the WAR on terror. Just another sham, to get the people to rally around something injust. Oh and for you bible thumpers, check out GEN 1:12, and see how the laws of man have overcome the laws of God. Its funny that about 1/3 of all americans use or have used marijuana, but people act like it never happens or its just hippies and thugs smoking it. No, its 60 year old ladys, its teens, its soldiers, doctors, lawyers, alcoholics, PSTD victims, construction workers, cooks, newspaper journalists, investment bankers, politicians, movie stars. Get the picture? Its not one group, or type of individual. Its everyone. Why the American people would want to keep medicine out of the hands of the sick is beyond me. What happened to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. If Im doing something in the privacy of my own home and not hurting anyone but myself, then whats the big deal. Tell smokers, or alcoholics, that because its bad for them, they will no longer be able to have it. See what happens then. Thats the smoker and alcoholics national anthem " Hey, ciggaretes and alcohol are legal ". Thats funny, Ive never heard of anyone getting really stoned, then beating their wife and kids. Oh and I cant leave off without slamming Lurker, this youth has been a volunteer firefighter, and soldier, and pot smoker. Ive got a better work ethic than most and you must be the one thats high to think that marijuana makes you have no drive or work ethic. I have suffered from depression and PTSD for years and without the help of marijuana I might not be here right now to tell you what a jerk you are. I dont even get "high" anymore, rather the symptoms of my disorder are eased. If more people just fired up a doobie we'd have less columbines and virginia techs. Guaranteed. Its time to increase the awareness. Tax it, regulate it, do what you want, but get it to sick people that are in need and lets stop making our personal opinions cloud the real issue. Legalize, no, reform medical marijuana laws, yes. Read the emporer wears no clothes. "

" My guess is that the pot growing charges will be dropped because the source of the search (the 5 year old) will be deemed inadmissible. "

" Jim, it is so typical for ignorant people such as yourself to cast stones rather than say something intelligent regarding this issue. You haven't a clue as to the impact of marijuana prohibition on society. This country spends over 7 billion each year to arrest, prosecute and imprison otherwise law abiding citizens for simply using a substance that is much less harmful than alcohol or tobacco or even aspirin. Jim, you show your own brilliance in that you can't even spell 'rhetoric'. Care to make another comment? "

" I bet you the cops interrogated and tortured that poor little girl to get her to spill the beans and rat on her parents. The most dangerous things about marijuana are the absurd laws and punishments attempting to deter people from using or possessing it. Get real people, marijuana was made illegal thru lies and deception and until this war on drugs is ended there will continue to be countless casualties of war such as this little girl and her parents. "

" Outrageous that this families children should be removed because they choose to use marijuana. America the land of the free don't make me laugh.Shame on you America for treating your citizens like this..John UK "

" Sorry dude...if you drink with your kid and drive they take them away also. Safe or not they are impaired and raising childern. Wonder why the youth have no drive or work eithics...Could it be the safe drugs they are using? "

" yes, the family broke the law, no matter what anyone's opinion is of that law. I am glad that child spoke up, she certainly knows right from wrong! "

" Derek, Go smoke some more dope so you can continue to spout brilliant retoric like you posted... "

" The thugs busting in on these people are the real criminals. Bunch of adrenaline junkies chasing their next buzz. Too bad they don't go after REAL criminals, but that might actually be dangerous. "Unjust laws are made to be broken" --ben franklin "Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." -and- It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. --Abraham Lincoln "

" This is an outrage! "

" So they're going to take away this family's child because they were growing pot? That is OUTRAGEOUS. Marijuana is a safer drug than alcohol by ANY MEASURE. Our laws surrounding marijuana are so ridiculous and harmful that it really is time to end prohibition, and stop otherwise lawful parents from losing their children to a system which will give them PTSD for the rest of their lives. "