Pubdate: Thu, 09 Feb 2012
Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)
Copyright: 2012 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.dailybulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/871
Author: Sandra Emerson

MARIJUANA FOE SPEAKS TO UPLAND ROTARY

UPLAND - Upland Rotary Club has now heard both sides of the medical 
marijuana debate.

Paul Chabot, founder and president of Coalition for a Drug Free 
California, gave a presentation Wednesday during the club's weekly 
meeting outlining the dangers of marijuana to communities and children.

"They're flooded with the pro-drug side, which has so much money for 
their message, and we don't," Chabot said. "I think it's refreshing 
for people to see this, but I think it's also a call to action - to 
not just sit here and listen to what I'm saying, but to take it and 
go fight in their communities."

Chabot's presentation was a rebuttal to a presentation made in 
December by Aaron Sandusky, the president of G3 Holistic, an 
Upland-based medical marijuana cooperative.

Sandusky was in the audience along with members of the City Council.

The co-op and the city have a case pending in the state Supreme Court 
over whether cities can ban dispensaries through zoning.

Chabot said people who start dispensaries can invest $40,000 and make 
up to $1 million, while doctors who recommend medical marijuana to 
patients can make $2.1 million a year.

"It's not about sick people, ladies and gentlemen. These are domestic 
marijuana cartels. It's about drug legalization."

Chabot showed several pictures of marijuana products available in 
dispensaries, most of which have names he believes attract children.

"This is marketing nonsense, and it's working because people are 
eating this stuff up like candy and you know what? It looks like 
candy," Chabot said. "This is how they're marketing to kids."

Chabot shared some statistics with the club on drug use among 
children, including a national household survey that showed 60 
percent of children ages 12 to 17 entering rehab are using marijuana.

"This is ridiculous. This should upset you if you're a parent," 
Chabot said. "If your kids see this, it looks innocent and looks fun. 
I'm talking as a 37-year-old man who went through drug rehab at 12 
years old for marijuana."

Jerry Wilson, Rotary member and Rancho Cucamonga resident, said he is 
not aware whether medical marijuana is an issue in his hometown, but 
said he would like to follow a suggestion made by Chabot during his 
presentation.

"He did mention maybe you should ask your grandchildren about what 
they know about the availability of marijuana, so I think I'm going 
to do that," Wilson said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom