Pubdate: Fri, 04 Nov 2016
Source: Portland Press Herald (ME)
Copyright: 2016 MaineToday Media, Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/J9R991Zc
Website: http://www.pressherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/744
Author: Frank Lyons

DAMAGE TO LIVES, ECONOMY DEMANDS QUESTION 1 DEFEAT

Experience as a 30-year veteran of law enforcement causes me concern
regarding misinformation being disseminated regarding Question 1.

For more than three decades, smoking marijuana has been a civil
violation resulting in neither arrest nor a criminal record. It is
ludicrous to suggest that a civil violation would impede
investigations of domestic violence or missing persons.

Most marijuana civil summonses, which can be useful as plea bargaining
leverage, are issued as a result of a traffic stop, a search after
arrest or in conjunction with a criminal investigation.

To imply that Maine coffers will benefit from the passage of Question
1 seems misleading. Consider the costs to both Maine's lives and
economy: more driving "impaired," workplace injuries and decreased
productivity.

Suffering Maine people benefit from the availability of medical
marijuana. Recreational marijuana use is not good for Maine.

Research facts. Use common sense. Vote "no" on Question 1.

Frank Lyons

South Portland
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MAP posted-by: Matt