Pubdate: Mon, 03 Sep 2012
Source: Cortez Journal, The (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Cortez Journal
Contact:  http://www.cortezjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3602
Author: Dennis Spruell

'THE STONER STATE'

Sheriff Spruell's view on legalizing marijuana

This November the voters in Colorado will be asked to make a decision
concerning the legalization of marijuana. This constitutional
amendment would make Colorado the first and only state to do this. I
want you to imagine Colorado with legalized recreational marijuana and
the people this will attract who openly smoke local legally grown pot.

As sheriff, I believe that the increase in criminal activity will be
significant. I also believe that taking into consideration recent and
past elections, the voters of Montezuma County concur, legalizing
marijuana in any form is not in our or our youth's best interest.

Some facts taken from a bulletin provided by Healthy and Drug Free
Colorado I would like you to be aware of:

This is a constitutional amendment providing certain rights with few
restrictions. Since it is a constitutional amendment, the Colorado
legislature is limited in implementing regulations.

Colorado's marijuana laws would be more liberal than the Netherlands
which has become more restrictive by shutting down 37 percent of its
"coffee" houses (marijuana clubs), restricting them in "red light "
areas and prohibiting tourists from visiting "coffee houses."
Preliminary research indicates that Colorado's marijuana laws would be
the most liberal in the world.

There are no limits on how much a marijuana retail store could stock
or how many plants a cultivation facility could grow.

There are no residency requirements, so out-of-state dealers and users
could buy their marijuana legally from Colorado.

The amendment does not prohibit opening private marijuana clubs where
people could use marijuana in a club-type setting.

Organized crime and drug cartels could use front people in order to
cultivate unlimited amounts of marijuana and then distribute it from
Colorado rather than across the border.

There is no way to control the diversion of marijuana out of state or
to the youth. Colorado would most likely become the primary source
state for the other 49 states in our country where it is illegal.

Even if cities or counties pass an ordinance banning licensed
facilities, individuals could join together and form a co-op to exceed
the six plant limit per individual. They could even grow in a
residential area as a constitutional right.

There is no funding to create a regulatory body to oversee provisions
of the amendment for retail stores, cultivation sites, testing
facilities, or infusion centers, much less unregulated grow operations
or the separately-regulated hemp industry called for in the amendment.

There are not sufficient police officers in the state to effectively
prevent the diversion of marijuana to youth, other states or to
prevent organized crime from getting a foothold in Colorado because of
the potential profits involved.

I am proud that Colorado is known around the world as the state with
the beautiful mountains, excellent hunting and fishing, snow skiing
and outdoor activities that are second to none. I would hate for
Colorado to gain the reputation as the Stoner State. When I vote in
November I will be voting against the legalization of marijuana.

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Dennis Spruell is sheriff of Montezuma County.
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