Pubdate: Thu, 28 Nov 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
Author: Don Addy

TEN THINGS THE PRO-MARIJUANA LOBBY DOESN'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW

Given the recent spate of public activity encouraging support for the
expansion of access to marijuana, it is critical that the public
understands that there are 10 things the pro-marijuana lobby won't
tell you.

1. Pro-marijuana folks are funded by "dark" groups who don't want you
to know who they are. They are funded like "Big Tobacco" was, from
sources outside Colorado, and they have focused on the state's
adolescent population. They create the false impression that marijuana
is safe and harmless, like tobacco was marketed. These groups stand to
make a lot of money, with or without legalization.

2. Smoking marijuana is toxic. Dozens of harmful chemicals in
marijuana like carbon monoxide, tar, benzene and toluene have been
identified in inhaled marijuana smoke, in higher concentrations than
tobacco smoke.

3. Marijuana is the "gateway" drug leading users to cocaine, meth and
heroin. Second-stage drugs are more toxic and habit-forming. Marijuana
is the No. 1 admission diagnosis for adolescent illicit substance use
in Colorado, and it has been known to lead to the use of more
dangerous drugs.

4. This isn't your daddy's marijuana. Forty years ago in the
non-inhaling Bill Clinton era, the material was not as concentrated
nor as potent as it is today. The average THC psychoactive content in
marijuana in the 1980s was 2-3 percent. Now, the average is around 9
percent, a 300 percent increase in potency. There are compounds being
made with 80 percent concentration.

5. The pro-marijuana lobby doesn't give a hoot about helping schools.
Suggesting that tax revenues will be funneled to the schools sounds
good until you understand the real motives. Most people will never use
marijuana and don't oppose pro-marijuana legislation because they
believe the false benefit. This attitude resulted from item No. 6.

6. The public is not informed. Before the vote on Amendment 64,
minimal education was provided to the electorate on the damaging
health effects of marijuana. No studies were cited about the cost of
longer-term public health, nor was there any information about the
cost of tracking, collecting and distributing promised revenues.
Voters reached a conclusion without all the facts.

7. Legalization will not drive the underground entities out of
business. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports there are
more criminal elements operating in Colorado today than before
Amendment 64. Setting up under the cover of "legalization," they are
exporting marijuana to other states. Thousands of pounds of marijuana
(and other drugs) have been seized that were being mailed to addresses
outside Colorado. Illegal growing is occurring in our national
forests, and marijuana was discovered in the Waldo Canyon burn scar
and other areas over the past several years. Illegal activity is on
the rise across Colorado.

8. Voters also approved "local control" of legalization. The language
in 64 also included a provision giving local governments the ability
to prohibit the sale if it was determined not to be in the best
interest of the community. This provision is conveniently ignored by
the pro-marijuana group because it weakens its argument. Because
voters also approved local control, thankfully, up to now, city and
county governments have determined that legalization is harmful to the
overall well-being.

9. Business is concerned about legalization and the effect on employee
productivity and health care costs. Businesses are worried that
employees using marijuana will lose focus, fail to recall important
facts and, worst of all, become injured on the job.

Companies interested in starting up, expanding or relocating into
Colorado are now reluctant to do so because of 64. This is inhibiting
the long-term economic health of Colorado.

10. Marijuana smoke is offensive. Enough said.

How do we minimize the damage from Amendment 64?

Start by becoming educated. Share your knowledge with friends,
neighbors and co-workers. Contact your elected representatives and
urge them to resist the pressure to legalize. Ask your friends to do
the same. Support groups like Smart Colorado and others to fight and
resist the richly funded pro-marijuana groups. Support your local
school officials as they work to protect our youth.

It's not too late. But if responsible citizens don't become active and
resist, we will all regret it later.

Donald E. Addy is a resident of Colorado Springs and co-founder
of The Citizen Soldier Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated
to serving Fort Carson soldiers and their families.
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MAP posted-by: Matt