Pubdate: Thu, 19 Dec 2013 Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR) Copyright: 2013 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Contact: http://www2.arkansasonline.com/contact/voicesform/ Website: http://www2.arkansasonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/25 Page: 8B THE SLIPPERY CLIFF You've Got To Be Kidding Dept. "Lest we forget, states that now allow marijuana for whatever purpose, and let their residents pretty much smoke 'em if you got 'em, started out by approving just medical-marijuana laws. In 1998, the state of Washington passed a medical-marijuana law, and now recreational use is legal there. Colorado passed its medical-marijuana law in 2000, and a dozen years later, you can get your Rocky Mountain High without much bother." - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, December 11th GOODNESS, was it only last week that we were (again) pointing out the dangers of medical-marijuana laws and how such laws could lead to full blown legalization? Yep, time still flies. When somebody tries to tell you that legalizing "medical" marijuana is in the state's interest, and they will again, just point to another beauty of a state as an example of what not to do. The state is Colorado. An almost square state, but only in shape. First voters there passed a law allowing medical marijuana. That was back in 2000. Last year, voters passed what was officially titled Amendment 64, which ensconced the inalienable right of adults to burn doobies in its constitution. Adults may now also grow their own stash, as long as the garden place is locked. You can now give weed as a present. And, according to Colorado law, an adult can legally possess so and so much cannabis while traveling. Although good luck with that if you cross state lines. To call Colorado's marijuana laws too loose, and medical-marijuana statutes Gateway Laws, is to invite howling from certain quarters about how puritanical we spoilsports can be. Oh, give us a break. Medical marijuana as a gateway law? Get over yourself, man. We're responsible adults here, dude. What, you think we'll give this stuff to kids next? Right on cue . . . . The city council in Denver is considering changing its municipal ordinances so it's not such a bummer when anyone who's 18 to 21 years of age is caught with pot inside the city limits. After all, if those older than 21 can farm it, roll it, and put it in Christmas stockings . . . . The new statewide law decriminalizes marijuana for those over 21, but some on Denver's city council wondered why people under 21 should face criminal charges and permanent marks on their records if caught with the stuff. Isn't that age discrimination? Of course it is, and there's not enough of it these looped out days. Some states make it a crime for minors and older teens to drink alcohol, too, even though it's legal for those older. It's called being responsible, setting boundaries, protecting the immature who may not yet have developed sound judgment. And may never if we let them become dopeheads. One member of the Mile High City's governing body-his name is Albus Brooks-put it this way: "We do not want this age group to have their legs cut off before they get started in life." Mr. Brooks has a point, even if he didn't mean it this way. If the kids are smoking Js, they aren't getting a very good start in life. Better they stopped. And if it takes a cop, an arrest, waking Dad up at 2 a.m. for bail money, a court hearing, and a little fright and shame, so be it. The kids'll be better off. Just like an 18-year-old caught buying bourbon. Catch his-or her-attention before he starts making even worse decisions. As they say in the commercials, 21 means 21. Even in wacky, even weedier, Colorado. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt