Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jan 2016 Source: Sacramento Bee (CA) Copyright: 2016 The Sacramento Bee Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/0n4cG7L1 Website: http://www.sacbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376 Author: April Roeseler ESCHEW SEDUCTION OF BIG MARIJUANA Re "Don't bogart that beta blocker" (Forum, Jan. 17): Thank you to Jack Ohman for raising concerns about retail marijuana legalization in Oregon and the implications for California. In this debate, California must be vigilant against the seduction of Silicon Valley investors, big marijuana business interests and a new tax revenue source. California must not ignore the potential for unintended public health and safety consequences. Louis Pasteur's "chance favors the mind" - coupled with the precautionary principle - should be standards that guide California. Issues that voters and regulatory agencies need to quickly become knowledgeable about include the public health implications associated with teen marijuana use and use by individuals predisposed to certain mental health conditions, the toxicity of marijuana secondhand smoke, poisonings from edibles, driving under the influence, pesticide contamination and water use. Action and public education must be based on credible science that is unbiased by big business interests. We must also learn from Colorado, Washington and Oregon. April Roeseler, Carmichael - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom