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. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt