I was appalled at U.S. Rep. Bob Filner's lack of understanding of our laws and the negative effect the proliferation of pot shops have had on naive young people ("Filner and colleagues seek shift on medical marijuana," Nov. 3). Who has he been talking to? Certainly not parents or school officials who shockingly report the ease at which high schools students buy pot at illegal storefronts for their bumps and bruises. It's a concern that Filner has bought, line and sinker, the pro-pot propaganda over the chorus of concerns that pot use by youths has increase with their believe that pot is harmless.

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Assembly Bill 1300 Will Help Communities Maintain and Foster a Drug-Free and Healthy Environment

For many months, media outlets have covered the issue of marijuana dispensaries in North County cities opening up in conflict with cities' licensing and land-use regulations.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 1300, which was approved by the Assembly 71-1 and state Senate 38-0, demonstrating significant bipartisan and near-unanimous support.

AB 1300 clearly establishes local oversight and control, since it is local government and law enforcement agencies who have to deal with the often adverse impacts of marijuana dispensaries in communities that may include increased crime. A recent study found that adolescent marijuana use is higher in states with medical marijuana laws, and that perceptions of risk of marijuana use are lower (Annals of Epidemiology, September 2011). While the study could not determine causality, it is an outcome that warrants serious consideration as local jurisdictions continue to face the issue of marijuana availability.

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