Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2012
Source: Ravalli Republic (Hamilton, MT)
Copyright: 2012 Ravalli Republic
Contact:  http://www.ravallirepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3254
Author: A. Ward

I-124 WOULD BOLSTER MARIJUANA BLACK MARKET, NOT KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFER

I would like to go on record as strongly disagreeing with Ravalli 
County Sheriff Chris Hoffman's advice to local residents to vote 
"yes" on I-124, the 2012 ballot measure addressing the Montana 
Medical Marijuana program because, in Hoffman's words, "This 
legislation translates to safer communities, a true benefit to all."

Hoffman's logic is lacking in many ways. If, in fact, there have been 
fewer thefts, burglaries, serious assaults and homicides (have there 
been any homicides ever?) involving the marijuana "industry" in 
Ravalli County in the past 15 months since parts of Senate Bill 423 
have been enacted, it's only because there isn't much of an industry 
left! Specifically, we have put all the legitimate providers out of 
business leaving the market wide open to the Mexican cartels, the 
black market and gangs.

If anyone thinks that SB-423 has resulted in fewer people in Montana 
using marijuana either medically or recreationally, they are sadly 
mistaken and ill-informed. All this de facto repeal law has 
accomplished is to take the control of marijuana in Montana out of 
the hands of local citizens and law enforcement and put it into the 
hands of the illegal black market.

If you really are concerned about having a safer community and 
keeping marijuana out of the hands of minors, please vote "no" on 
I-124. Keep the marijuana industry, which hasn't gone away for 70 
years and isn't likely to now, out of the hands of illegal pushers 
and put it into the hands of the state to be monitored and regulated. 
In doing so, you will ensure that the many people who use marijuana 
to improve their daily quality of life, like people with cancer and 
those suffering from debilitating pain and illnesses, have a safe, 
legal source of medicine.

A. Ward,

Corvallis
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom