Children and Edible Marijuana We urge Ohioans to vote "No" on State Issue 3, which would grant monopoly rights for the production and sale of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes in Ohio. It is the worst public policy proposal we have seen in more than 30 years of public service and leadership in drug abuse prevention in our state. Most alarming about Issue 3 is the threat to our children and youth. It legalizes the sale of marijuana-infused products like cookies, brownies and gummy bears which are inviting to children and have led to severe problems in those states which allow recreational marijuana. According to Children's Hospital Colorado, admissions of children under the age of 12 who ingested edible marijuana spiked sharply in 2014; use by youth ages 12 to 17 in Colorado ranks 56 percent higher than the national average, according to law enforcement reports. [continues 195 words]
Jerusalem District Court Judge Nava Ben-Or last week rejected a challenge to aspects of the government's current policy permitting the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The decision, in favor of medical supplier Sarel Corporation as well as the Health Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and other related parties, was handed down Thursday, but was announced by the court on Sunday. Ben-Or sat as an administrative judge on a petition by the Barak Corporation seeking that aspects of the cannabis policy be declared invalid. One was that the government failed to advertise properly the tender for which corporations would have a right to distribute cannabis and receive exemption from certain regulations. [continues 260 words]
With all due respect given to the sides of the medical marijuana issue (Viewpoints, Nov. 19, 30), many South Maui residents would like to hear our elected representatives talk about progress toward building a new Kihei high school and adequate funding for our existing Kihei charter schools. We also would appreciate a word or two about the Lahaina bypass and the possibility of a medical facility for South Maui. We would like to know about funding for our existing elementary and secondary schools and building upkeep and maintenance for those facilities. How about an opinion letter about our State Park at Makena or progress and funding for affordable housing initiatives? What is the status of the county injection wells and how can the state and county work together on that issue to protect our coral reefs. There is a large percentage of the population that may not have a "horse" in the marijuana race issue. if our elected officials could give equal time to some other very timely and important issues it would be appreciated. Bob and Lis Richardson Kihei [end]
