Pubdate: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA) Copyright: 2009 The Tribune Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391 Author: Lon Allan Cited: Atascadero City Council http://drugsense.org/url/BuEqEQke Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California) MARIJUANA: OK IT, THEN HEAVY LEVY IT Atascadero City Council recently passed a moratorium on medical marijuana facilities within the city. Using the excuse of this being an "emergency," council members unanimously adopted the moratorium, which will be in place for 45 days. In a month and a half they'll have to come back to kick the idea around all over again. They could extend the moratorium for almost a year if they so desire. I think the city should allow the medicinal dispensaries. In its previous ordinance, they were allowed in some limited areas within the community and with certain conditions imposed by the council and Planning Commission. Let's hope there is more discussion the next time the issue comes up. I know most of the cities in the county don't want medical-marijuana dispensaries in their backyards, but it seems to me civic leaders everywhere are taking a knee-jerk reaction to those clinics, which are allowed under California law but not by the federal government. I've never used marijuana, so I don't have any firsthand information about its impact on the human condition. I don't think I've ever seen anyone under the influence of marijuana except in movies. But I come from a long line of alcoholics and falling-down drunks, which is why I've never taken a drink for fear I may be an addict myself. I wonder what those in my family would have been like if they just smoked pot. It just strikes me as sort of silly that people go crazy over the presence of marijuana and then applaud the newest opening of a wine-tasting room or a new liquor store. The only difference I can see is that one is legal and the other is not. The effects of using both appear to be the same. What California should do is take the lead and legalize marijuana and then tax the heck out of it, just like it does with cigarettes, beer, wine and hard liquor. The state could certainly use the added revenue. And it would free the law enforcement community from being so wrapped up in busting those who use the substance. Abuses of marijuana, just like alcohol and other drugs, both legal and illegal, would still be punishable, as they should be. If the City Council is willing to ban marijuana for medical use because of its fear of the potential dangers of doing so, then it should take the next logical step and ban alcohol consumption and sales, too. Oh, that's right; we already tried that, didn't we? - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake