Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jan 2016
Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391
Author: Lon Allan

ATASCADERO'S BAN ON MARIJUANA, CELEBRATION OF WINE IS A DOUBLE STANDARD

Don't allow marijuana sales here.

I see that the Atascadero City Council voted unanimously to ban all 
marijuana cultivation in the city and to continue its ban on both 
dispensaries and deliveries of the drug.

I'm fine with that.

What bothers me, however, is that same council would jump up and down 
for joy and welcome a new wine-tasting room in the city. You'd see 
ribbon-cuttings featuring all of the council members and Chamber of 
Commerce folks.

I've never tasted or smoked marijuana, nor have I ever tasted wine.

Of course, alcohol is legal and marijuana is not. What disturbs me is 
the abhorrence by society that welcomes the booze and not the pot.

I see them being equal. I've lived with the devastation both can cause.

I've written in the past that there are too many outlets for booze. 
You can buy alcohol at the local theater if you're 21, and I see that 
Starbucks is seeking permission to serve booze in the evening in 
certain markets.

The California Mid-State Fair has pretty much ensured that you can't 
walk more than 300 feet between booths selling beer or wine.

What kind of message are we sending to our children who see that 
there's nothing wrong with drugs, only that some are legal and some are not.

Television and movies make drinking seem like fun. The local TV 
station loves to show up at local bars on St. Patrick's Day and show 
college kids swilling green beer.

At the Golden Globe Awards held a few weeks ago, the show's host, 
Ricky Gervais, was not only rude and crude, but he found it necessary 
to have a glass of beer in his hand or on the podium each time he 
made an appearance.

I know about the "great experiment" when we attempted to make alcohol 
illegal. Prohibition pretty much proved positive that you can't take 
the booze away from the people without them going berserk. They'll 
make their own in the bathtub if they have to.

I've heard the argument that marijuana is a "gateway" drug that leads 
to addiction to more dangerous substances.

I will be watching the newest experiment within the United States on 
the legalization of marijuana in a number of states.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom