Pubdate: Sun, 08 Dec 2013
Source: News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA)
Copyright: 2013 Tacoma News, Inc.
Contact: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/submit/
Website: http://www.thenewstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/442
Author: Claudia H. Branham

POT: COUNTY COUNCIL SHOULD OVERRIDE VETO

Re: Marijuana sales in Pierce County.

County Councilman Doug Richardson was the lone Republican to vote 
against Ordinance 111, which prohibits licensed marijuana businesses 
from operating and was vetoed by County Executive Pat McCarthy (TNT, 
11-26). One of his reasonings was that the state Legislature will 
take up the issue of medical marijuana in its January session.

We all know that the Legislature is known for running issues through 
that have not been popular of wanted by a majority of Washingtonians. 
Out-of-state money and influence were largely responsible for the 
passage of the initiative allowing marijuana's recreational use; that 
has also been the case with other legislation and initiatives.

It has been reported that since the initiative passed, DUIs have 
increased in this state. Vast numbers of teenagers are smoking dope 
in Seattle. In Colorado, organized crime and cartels are involved in 
the movement and sales of marijuana.

Anyone who thinks recreational marijuana is no big deal should visit 
a mental health facility and observe how many patients are pot 
smokers and how many are repeat patients. Your tax dollars at work!

The council will have the opportunity to address the issue again on 
Tuesday. It could either override McCarthy's veto or decide to take 
new action. I guess the comments of the citizens of Pierce County 
have no worth in the entire issue.

Claudia H. Branham, Graham 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom