Pubdate: Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Page: A16

JUST SAY NO

D.C. Voters Should Reject the Rush to Legalize Marijuana.

THE DISTRICT'S law decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana went 
into effect only in July, but already voters are being asked to take 
the even more far-reaching step of legalizing the drug. We supported 
the elimination of harsh criminal penalties; jailing people who 
smoked pot and saddling them with criminal records made no sense and 
resulted in the unfair targeting of young black men.

But the rush to legalize marijuana gives us - and we hope voters - 
serious pause. Marijuana, as proponents of legalization argue, may or 
may not be less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, both legal, but it 
is not harmless. Questions exist, so it would be prudent for the 
District not to make a change that could well prove to be misguided 
until more is known. Foremost here are the experiences and lessons 
learned by states that have opted for legalization.

Initiative No. 71, the Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts 
of Marijuana for Personal Use Act of 2014, will appear on the Nov. 4 
ballot and, if approved, would make it lawful for a person 21 years 
or older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use, 
grow up to six plants at home and transfer without payment up to one 
ounce of marijuana to another person 21 years or older. Because of 
the District's restrictions on what is subject to ballot approval, 
the initiative would not allow for the sale of marijuana, but 
initiative backers say they would expect the D.C. Council to address 
this and other issues with legislation.

It's instructive that the council, in assessing the city's approach 
to marijuana enforcement, chose the more cautious path of 
decriminalization rather than outright legalization. Voters would do 
well to consider the reasons for that caution.

The American Medical Association has come out against legalization, 
arguing that "cannabis is a dangerous drug and as such is a public 
health concern." The active ingredient in marijuana has been linked 
to memory problems, impaired thinking and weakened immune systems, 
not to mention it acts as a gateway to more dangerous drugs. Dangers 
are more pronounced for young people. A study just published in the 
Lancet Psychiatry reported that teenagers who smoke marijuana daily 
are 60 percent less likely to complete high school. Advocates of 
legalization say it would not apply to young people but with 
legalization inevitably comes a message of approval.

It's not been a year since Colorado became the first state to allow 
recreational marijuana use and, as the Smart Approaches to Marijuana 
has catalogued, there have been negative consequences, including 
increased instances of impaired driving and increased use by youth. 
With marijuana already decriminalized, there's no reason for the 
District to rush the next step; why not at least give Colorado a bit 
more time to provide lessons?

D.C. voters should vote no on Initiative No. 71 on Nov. 4.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom