Regarding the Department of Health and Human Services infractions at the Wellness Connection medical marijuana growing facility in Auburn, I feel the Sun Journal should have more thoroughly investigated the matter before editorializing on the situation (March 27).

I have been a medical marijuana caregiver for two years, and have volunteered with dispensaries, growers and countless patients during that time.

My experience has shown that pests can invade and ruin entire crops of plants. Anyone who gardens can attest to the fact that deer, mites, root aphids and all manner of pests and fungus issues can ruin nearly any harvest.

When crops are indoors, pests can quickly devastate everything in sight.

As organically-inclined growers, our first line of defense is always natural products — made from peppermint, chrysanthemum or cinnamon oils — or by adding in plants such as rosemary. Or introducing ladybugs to the environment as natural predators.

Moving forward, DHHS officials need to work with licensed growers to create reasonable practices, and to let the patients decide what is an acceptable product, just as all consumers do when purchasing food products.

I would also add that the more intensive of the pesticides mentioned are only used as preventative measures, around the foundation of buildings and along cracks and surfaces to prevent pests from entering grow areas and infesting the plants.

I have never sprayed such products directly on plants, but have certainly sprayed them around ducts and walls and other areas to keep pests out, just as people do in their homes to prevent termites, ants and other infestations.

There certainly should be full disclosure of what is added to products for human consumption, but we should examine what precisely is in these products and how they are used before we publicly condemn them.

I am much happier with the notion of peppermint and rosemary oil sprayed on plants than what I can only guess has been sprayed on the vegetables I buy in the store, or added to the pharmaceuticals nearly everyone purchases on a daily basis.

I would argue that, for the most part, those people involved in the medical marijuana business are enlightened and engaged, careful, rule- and law-abiding businesspeople with safe practices who merely want to bring a helpful product to those legally entitled to it.

There will certainly be obstacles and bumps in the road, but compared to the ridiculously underfunded rules and inspections and horrifying nature of the “big-business” food companies, I think we can all agree this is something we can legislate, manage and keep an eye on quite easily, along with the taxable, medical benefits it has proven to provide.

Tom Schipper, Auburn