Pubdate: Sun, 07 Oct 2012
Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Gazette
Contact: http://www.gazette.com/sections/opinion/submitletter/
Website: http://www.gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/165
Author: Sally Baron

PLEASE VOTE NO ON 64

Let's face it: at present, anyone in Colorado who wants to smoke 
marijuana can get it. There are "medical marijuana" stores on every 
corner, and so-called caregivers to help one get it. As well, there 
are dealers everywhere. We do not need Proposition 64. It will not be 
a sales tax windfall as, unlike tobacco, it is cheap and easy to grow oneself.

That said, why would anyone smoke pot? It is addictive and known to 
contribute to mental disorders, (including schizophrenia), learning 
disabilities, infertility (both male and female), birth defects, 
cancers (much more so than tobacco smoke), gynecomastia (male breast 
enlargement), and numerous brain diseases. THC is stored in human 
tissue; especially fat cells. The effects can stay with the user for 
indefinite periods, even if he or she stops using. Worse, he or she 
can pass genetic disorders to an unborn child, even if not smoking 
during pregnancy. Is it fair for a parent to do this?

Colorado's arrangement for "medical marijuana" is a joke; it is 
simply a way for users to get pot. While THC may have legitimate 
medical uses, why not control it through the pharmacological system 
already in place? It comes in a pill form called "Marinol" and could 
easily be dosed by legitimate medical professionals through 
pharmacies to legitimate patients who could actually need it.

Colorado Ballot Amendment 64 proposes that the first $40 million in 
taxes collected from pot sales would go directly to schools. First, 
there is little guarantee that there will be sales tax income. 
Second, funding public education with drug money sends a strange 
message to our youths.

Further, the more available pot in Colorado, the more stoners would 
come to get it. This would quite probably have an ill effect on 
Colorado's current tourism industry where guests come to visit for 
the beauty of the land and world class skiing, snowboarding, mountain 
biking, and much more.

Please vote no on 64 and keep Colorado [relatively] pristine.

Sally Baron

Colorado Springs
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom