Pubdate: Thu, 01 Nov 2012 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2012 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Author: Bruce R. Randall VOTE DOWN MARIJUANA INITIATIVE Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in the state of Washington (Initiative 502) will boost crime, create an additional tax burden and place those who travel and reside here in perennial personal peril. The users and/or victims could be our children or grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers and friends. The supporters' public safety education argument is disputable when one considers the annual death toll in alcohol-related accidents on our roads and highways. Are we really that naive to think by legalizing marijuana, there would be no consequence? The growers, producers and sellers - those on the supply side - are salivating for the lucrative and morally criminal profits. Will these be made at our loved ones' expense? The bloodsuckers, those state and city officials drooling over what they believe will be the "goose that laid the golden [tax revenue] egg," are crossing fingers that we will pass I-502. Legalizing recreational marijuana will not eradicate the safety, criminal or moral issues. We must defeat this initiative, if not for reasons of private and public greed, then certainly for our family's safety and well-being at home, in the community and on our highways. May Washington voters wake up and vote down I-502. - - Bruce R. Randall Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom