Pubdate: Wed, 03 Sep 2014
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Mark Johnston
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n725/a06.html

THE POT BANDWAGON

Re "Legal marijuana: What do you tell your kids?," Sept. 1

The article provides several examples of a substantial increase in 
the demand from parents and community groups for resources to discuss 
marijuana usage with kids post-legalization in Colorado.

Why has legalization of marijuana increased the desire to communicate 
with children about drug abuse? Most of us might initially agree with 
intervention specialist Kelly Kerby, who was quoted as saying, "We're 
making it legal and that means it's OK."

However, parents are now seeing the great difference between "legal" and "OK."

"Legal" is the lowest common denominator agreeable to the majority. 
"OK" is the higher standard each individual must set to achieve 
happiness; it includes personal decisions on religion, responsible 
drug use and more.

Each individual has a unique background, and so their decisions to 
achieve happiness will be unique. Attempts to regulate these unique 
choices to a common legal standard breed disrespect for the law and government.

Teaching our children the difference between "legal" and "OK," and 
the need for each individual to make responsible decisions, would be 
a major step in combating drug abuse and many other social ills.

Mark Johnston

Huntington Beach
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom