Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jul 2015
Source: East Oregonian (Pendleton, OR)
Copyright: 2015 The East Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.eastoregonian.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3903
Author: Jerry Cronin

METH IS THE REAL PROBLEM IN PENDLETON, NOT MARIJUANA

Marijuana is legal. Months have gone by since the election but there 
is no plan for the implementation of this law. There are hundreds of 
locals who rely on medical marijuana for its medicinal qualities.

There was a recent East Oregonian editorial on the topic of medical 
marijuana dispensaries. It reminded me of the movie "Reefer Madness," 
made in 1936 and based on the exaggerated effect of marijuana.

The EO had a quote from our police chief that was alarming: "How many 
deaths is it going to take?" I have read dozens of obits in the EO 
and have never seen one where the death was caused by marijuana. 
Former city councilman Keith May said that "he would close his 
business and move away if a marijuana shop opened on Main Street."

That is amusing because his store is equidistant to two businesses 
that sell drug paraphernalia, Thur's and Pandora's Box. The third 
head shop, "Out of Action," is located nearby on Main Street. The 
fourth business, "Wicked Kitty," is on Main Street and it sells 
paraphernalia in its "green room."

In an EO story published in November 2014, Wicked Kitty manager 
Angela Treadwell stated that glass products are their number two 
revenue generator.

The distressing news is that these businesses do not simply cater to 
marijuana users.

Pendleton has had a history of drug abuse for years. Meth is an 
epidemic in the town. Residents in a motel manufactured meth in a room.

Since meth is made from battery acid, drain cleaner, lantern fuel and 
antifreeze, I find it odd that the owner of the motel and his 
employees had no knowledge of this activity. The same thing occurred 
in another Pendleton motel. Both were shut down for months to 
detoxify the rooms.

The glassware that is sold in the four head shops are not just for 
marijuana. It is also purchased by meth users. Meth addiction is a 
major issue in Pendleton and accounts for many of the crimes committed in town.

With the city council prohibiting rigidly controlled medical 
marijuana dispensaries, the city is forcing local residents to 
purchase marijuana on the black market. As a result, Pendleton will 
lose millions of dollars over the long term from taxes that won't be 
collected to benefit the community.

Jerry Cronin

Pendleton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom