Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jan 2014
Source: State Journal, The (KY)
Copyright: 2014 The State Journal
Contact:  http://state-journal.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5487
Author: MSgt Vance

GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY AND OUR STATE

Has it come to this? Kentucky State Representative Robert Benvenuti
claimed, at the recent House Health and Welfare Committee hearing on
SB43 the Cannabis Compassion Act, that he could, "fill this committee
room with first responders, law enforcement officers and parents of
dead children based on the effects of marijuana!" Are the arguments
for continuing the prohibition of marijuana, even for the sick and
disabled, so bereft of science and logic that our legislators must
embarrass themselves with such ridiculous and inflammatory statements?

Twenty states and the District of Columbia have passed and implemented
medical marijuana laws. Two states have legalized marijuana for
recreational uses. Some of these laws have been in place for more than
a decade and a half. Surely the claims of those who would keep
prohibition going would have surfaced by now. Clearly, ending
marijuana prohibition whether for industrial, recreational or medical
use has not caused the collapse of the Republic!

What legalization will do is bring into the open the huge black market
that currently exists.

It is estimated that 24 million Americans are regular marijuana users,
and that half of all Americans have used marijuana at some time in
their lives.

That probably accounts for recent polling showing just over half, 54%
of Americans favor ending marijuana prohibition completely.
Kentuckians, according to the Kentucky Health Issues Poll favor
allowing for medical marijuana by 78%.

Here in Kentucky ending marijuana prohibition just for medical uses
would stir millions in economic activity.

With the decline of the coal industry and the fact that the soil and
climate of Eastern Kentucky is perfect for marijuana cultivation,
passage of SB43 would create hundreds of jobs and agricultural
opportunities. We also have a reputation for growing some of the best
marijuana in the world and we should capitalize on that reputation.
Most importantly, you will be bringing relief and security to those
whose conditions will not let them wait for passage of this bill. It
will allow for control and regulation of the medical marijuana
industry here in Kentucky which does not now exist.

Some have called for decriminalization as sort of a half measure,
instead of legalization. This just leaves all the bad things about
prohibition in place.

Police will still be stopping people and pulling them over to look for
marijuana.

Still be raiding houses because some schmuck shared a 1/4 pound with
his friends, (dealing), and sometimes raiding the wrong house and
killing someone, as has happened all too often. The Cartels will still
be collecting the profits, controlling the price, the distribution and
worst of all, the age of the customers, and Kentucky will collect no
revenue.

I could go on but I think you get the picture.

Let's think of the Cannabis Compassion Act, SB43, as a test. It's not
full legalization and enough people will have access to marijuana,
that if its passage is a bad idea it will become obvious pretty
quickly and you can change or reverse the law if you want to. The
prohibitionists, the ones who want to keep prohibition going, have had
77 years to prove that prohibition works and they haven't proven it
yet. How about you give those of us who believe prohibition was a
mistake a chance to prove our point, that ending prohibition is a good
thing?

How about passing SB43 the Cannabis Compassion Act? You will be
helping thousands of our citizen deal with their conditions and doing
good for our economy and for our State.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D