Pubdate: Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Source: Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (WA)
Copyright: 2014 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.union-bulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2619
Author: Darold Bigger

COMMISSIONERS WERE RIGHT TO BAN MARIJUANA SALES IN COUNTY

The logic used in the Sept. 4 editorial to criticize Walla Walla 
County commissioners and others for banning marijuana sales in 
certain areas is puzzling. ("Bans on access to marijuana undercut 
intent of Initiative 502")

First, the editorial title seem to be inaccurate since the 
commissioners did not "ban access" to marijuana. Users can buy it 
elsewhere, just not in this county's prohibited areas.

Second, the commissioners' decision expresses more than their 
"personal feelings." It supports the good of our county and its 
residents, a point of view the U-B itself advocated when Initiative 
502 was proposed and reinforced in this editorial.

Third, if the argument used in the editorial were applied to 
Initiative 502, the initiative itself would have been inappropriate 
since it ignored the intent of the federal statute prohibiting 
marijuana use throughout the U.S.

Since users can buy marijuana elsewhere and the state attorney 
general has allowed this local discretion, our commissioners' ban is 
just and reflects a wise decision by them for the benefit of Walla 
Walla County residents.

Darold Bigger

Walla Walla
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom