Pubdate: Tue, 16 Apr 2013
Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Copyright: 2013 The Gazette
Contact: http://www.gazette.com/sections/opinion/submitletter/
Website: http://www.gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/165

STRAIGHTEN OUT THE MARIJUANA MESS

A majority of Colorado voters told state government last November that
marijuana should be legal. They did so after hearing promises of a
legal marijuana trade generating money for education while mostly
destroying a dangerous black market that made mockery of drug laws.
Ads made legal marijuana revenues sound like manna from heaven.

Marijuana remains illegal by federal law. That means little in
Colorado because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Printz v. United
States that federal authorities may not direct local or state law
enforcers to administer or enforce federal laws. Given the limited
presence of federal cops in Colorado, and other states, federal laws
will do little to curtail marijuana use and transactions in Colorado.

As such, Coloradans expect state, county and municipal politicians to
give them what they voted for. Voters did not approve a free-for-all
that would resemble the old underground trade this legalization
endeavor was intended to replace. They voted for full taxation and
effective regulation of transactions and they deserve nothing less.
They expect less marijuana mayhem, not more.

Amendment 64, which legalizes marijuana, also protects the authority
of city and county governments to outlaw the drug within their
jurisdictions. Politicians who represent constituencies that voted
against 64, contrary to statewide results, would be wise to approve
jurisdictional prohibition. In doing so, politicians would respect the
majority will of those whom they were elected to serve.

>From state government, and political jurisdictions that do not enact
pot prohibition, responsible Coloradans expect a solid regulatory
structure that will protect their interests.

Because of the way legalization was sold, they should demand
enforcement of regulations at a cost far below the revenues generated
by sales. It's doubtful Colorado voters approved legalization on a
belief that it would generate revenues adequate to cover only
regulation itself. Legal sales need to generate revenues at least five
times greater than the cost of regulation if the trade is to
substantially improve educational funding. If it cannot do so, voters
should consider rescinding Amendment 64 and writing it off as a failed
experiment.

Additionally:

Coloradans expect state and local politicians to establish and enforce
adequate buffers around schools and parks. Children should be
protected from the daily sights and smells of marijuana retail.

State, county and municipal lawmakers should ensure that marijuana
products are properly labeled to accurately state levels of THC,
marijuana's active ingredient.

Edibles and beverages must be packaged in such a manner that almost
anyone would know they contain drugs, to avoid inadvertent consumption
- - especially by minors.

Local and county politicians who do not enact full moratoriums should,
at the least, forbid pot clubs that effectively facilitate
quasi-public pot parties. All jurisdictions, and the state
Legislature, should forbid public consumption.

Early indications, as outlined in a recent audit of medical marijuana
regulation, suggest the system isn't working as expected. Revenues
haven't even paid for the startup of a statewide regulatory agency.
This could mean: A. State politicians and employees are not taking
seriously the will of voters who wanted an orderly marijuana trade
that would fund constructive endeavors; B. State authorities lack
competence to adequately regulate and enforce taxation and regulation;
or C. We are finding that legalization cannot work as a benefit to the
common good.

The Gazette urges all Colorado politicians to get busy fulfilling the
desire of Colorado voters. Most wanted fewer marijuana problems and
substantial revenues to support education. If this desire is not
fulfilled, for whatever reason, expect voters to put an end to
legalization.

In the meantime, all Coloradans should demand their city, county and
state politicians step it up and make legalization safer and more
beneficial than pot prohibition.
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MAP posted-by: Matt