Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jul 2017
Source: Herald News (West Paterson, NJ)
Copyright: 2017 North Jersey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.northjersey.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2911
Author: Lisa Lanzalotto

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IS 'BEYOND STUPID'

Regarding "Marijuana should be legalized" (Your Views, June 6):

The points the writer raises regarding legalizing cannabis are
ignorant and obviously not factual. They are clearly just his
uneducated opinion. Just how will legalization reduce street drug
markets? Issues of increased tax revenue, economic boost to retail and
job creation, and not contributing to homelessness and violence are
irrelevant.

Do you want to be driving your car at 70 miles an hour on the Turnpike
with your kid in the back, next to someone who is high because he just
finished smoking a recreational joint?

Would you mind if the woman who watches your kid in day care all day
smokes a few joints throughout the day and during her lunch break to
relax?

How would you feel if the doctor who is performing your surgery took a
few "bong hits" prior to the operation to mellow him out?

Where is the line drawn in reference to recreational use?

If kids can get addicted to escaping into a world of Xbox, video games
and texting, how can we assume that won't happen when they smoke pot?
What happens when the pot isn't working anymore?

Legalization is not just about economics or being a gateway to other 
drug use. Too many people self-medicate and at a time when opioid abuse 
is reaching astronomical proportions it is quite illogical to make 
cannabis legal. I agree with Governor Christie: legalization is beyond 
stupid.

Lisa Lanzalotto

Paramus, June 6