Get Active Subscribe Support Us

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