Pubdate: Tue, 29 Sep 2009
Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391
Author: Lon Allan
Cited: Atascadero City Council http://drugsense.org/url/BuEqEQke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

MARIJUANA: OK IT, THEN HEAVY LEVY IT

Atascadero City Council recently passed a moratorium on medical 
marijuana facilities within the city. Using the excuse of this being 
an "emergency," council members unanimously adopted the moratorium, 
which will be in place for 45 days.

In a month and a half they'll have to come back to kick the idea 
around all over again. They could extend the moratorium for almost a 
year if they so desire.

I think the city should allow the medicinal dispensaries. In its 
previous ordinance, they were allowed in some limited areas within 
the community and with certain conditions imposed by the council and 
Planning Commission.

Let's hope there is more discussion the next time the issue comes up.

I know most of the cities in the county don't want medical-marijuana 
dispensaries in their backyards, but it seems to me civic leaders 
everywhere are taking a knee-jerk reaction to those clinics, which 
are allowed under California law but not by the federal government.

I've never used marijuana, so I don't have any firsthand information 
about its impact on the human condition. I don't think I've ever seen 
anyone under the influence of marijuana except in movies.

But I come from a long line of alcoholics and falling-down drunks, 
which is why I've never taken a drink for fear I may be an addict myself.

I wonder what those in my family would have been like if they just 
smoked pot. It just strikes me as sort of silly that people go crazy 
over the presence of marijuana and then applaud the newest opening of 
a wine-tasting room or a new liquor store.

The only difference I can see is that one is legal and the other is 
not. The effects of using both appear to be the same.

What California should do is take the lead and legalize marijuana and 
then tax the heck out of it, just like it does with cigarettes, beer, 
wine and hard liquor.

The state could certainly use the added revenue. And it would free 
the law enforcement community from being so wrapped up in busting 
those who use the substance.

Abuses of marijuana, just like alcohol and other drugs, both legal 
and illegal, would still be punishable, as they should be.

If the City Council is willing to ban marijuana for medical use 
because of its fear of the potential dangers of doing so, then it 
should take the next logical step and ban alcohol consumption and sales, too.

Oh, that's right; we already tried that, didn't we? 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake