Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2014
Source: Clovis News Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2014 Freedom Communications
Contact:  http://www.cnjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2994
Author: Lillian Bowe

ROOSEVELT COUNTY MARIJUANA OPPOSITION GAINS SUPPORT

Arkie Kiehne's grassroots effort to oppose the legalization of
marijuana for recreational gained the support Tuesday of the Roosevelt
Count Commission.

Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution stating they would
oppose any attempt by state lawmakers at legalization.

Roosevelt County Attorney Rick Queener said the resolution is a
statement of Roosevelt County's opposition and has no legal power.

Kiehne, who works with the World Series of Team Roping, presented a
petition with 830 signatures to the commission at a July 15 meeting.

Kiehne said marijuana is a dangerous drug.

At the July 15 meeting, Commissioner chair Kendell Buzard asked
Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Malin Parker to provide
more information on the impact of marijuana being legalized in
Colorado, specifically dealing with traffic accidents.

Roosevelt County Sheriff Darren Hooker said Tuesday he presented the
98-page information packet to the commission which has statistics on
traffic accidents and marijuana-related health emergencies in Colorado
pre-legalization and post-legalization of marijuana.

"Almost every category there was a rise from pre to
post-legalization," Hooker said.

The commissioners said it was informative, but Buzard wanted more
statistics on whether Colorado has had to increase their budget or
manpower in the different law enforcement agencies.

Parker said at the last meeting his concerns with the legalization of
marijuana would be the impact on Mexican drug cartels, which he
believes could push them to sell more dangerous drugs, such as heroin
or meth, instead of marijuana.

The commissioners agreed that the legalization of marijuana was a
negative, but Buzard said he also believes people should have a right
to vote on the matter.
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