If only some local law enforcement turned political players, could learn from past mistakes. I guess nobody ever told them about Prohibition.
In Albany, Oregon, and in Linn County, local law enforcement has been smitten with "defiance" to the left. It is strictly partisan, and has little to do with voter preference or law.
The latest episode of poor governing, is a letter to the local paper, submitted by longtime Representative, Andy Olsen(R, Albany). The letter, from January 26, 2014, resembles the "Reefer Madness" of the early 20th century. In the very first sentence, Olson confronts recent comments from President Obama. It is hard to retain credibility, when you start with a political message, rather than a practical one.
The legalization of marijuana for some medicinal use, has been well documented, especially the CNN special this past summer. That exposure, has educated some people about the uses for marijuana. In contrast, the medicinal aspect has been abused. Many "medical marijuana" patients, are possibly not legitimate medical patients. On the other hand, marijuana is classified in a group that is considered to be the most dangerous drugs available to the public, an obvious mistake. The "War On Drugs," has also taken its toll, in the shape of statistics that show an enormous money loss, with nothing to show for it. Where can we find a balance, between our kids' safety, and our public's voting record. And make no mistake, the voters are continually voting for less severe marijuana laws.
Olson points out, that the President may be "misinformed," and that could be true. But failing to acknowledge fact rather than opinion, such as "rarely does anyone go to prison for using the drug," or "law enforcement would also disagree with the President's opinion of marijuana," is plain nothing news. Of course local law enforcement will disagree, they disagree with the White House along lines, and they disagree with any decriminalization of marijuana. And as far as prisons, most would agree that our jails(not prisons) and courts are littered with small-time "criminal" drug users. This results in a revolving door of unpaid fines and cost on taxpayers.
Drunk on the streets of Portland, and minutes away from going to detox, not jail.
Some think that legalizing weed will bring the drug to children. I do not believe that, as marijuana is already readily available. Olson quotes Kevin Sabet, Ph.D., and states that "marijuana doubles the risk for a car accident," and here, I have a number of questions. I do not believe this statement to be true, for starters, and the first question I have is, What is alcohol's risk of accident?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), blood alcohol levels(BAC) are significant in regard to severity of function loss. Even a small BAC resulted in some impairment. A large BAC is severely risky for driving, says the CDC.
Olson also quotes the doctor about the increased potency of marijuana, and is correct in describing the increases in marijuana potency within the last twenty-five years. The drug is far more powerful than it was when I was young, and exponentially more powerful than when Mr. Olson was a high-schooler. Regardless of potent marijuana or not very potent weed, the object is to steer our adolescents towards a drug-free adult life. Legalized marijuana will not affect that objective negatively.
Many medical articles are about the risks involved with marijuana being legal, in regard to "child access." And that is good, because we must understand EXACT risk. But in reality, prescription drugs are far more risky, as well as many "over the counter" products. The people that smoke weed, are doing so legally in a few states. The other states' marijuana smokers are doing so, illegally. Are the risks any different, when speaking about our children?
Olson also writes about Colorado, with a three-bullet list of "problems." They are not cited, but I would assume that the toddler eating a weed "cookie," is true. I would also say it is rare, to have an emergency, for "ingesting" marijuana, especially in an adult. I ask, at this point, what are the stats on toddler overdoses of prescription medicines, as well?
I also think it is important to note, that most of these instances involved people who smoked marijuana in similar fashion, BEFORE the legalization ever became law. Meaning, like guns, kids have access to marijuana. Considering these points, I cannot agree with Olson, that the legalization of marijuana caused those medical situations.
The Albany Representative(R), also said, "In Colorado, since the legalization of marijuana, fatalities involving drivers testing positive for marijuana, rose by 112 %." This is also not cited, and because of that, it is hard to take seriously. I simply would like to know more.
A ten year old report from NORML, the marijuana advocate, states that, "Marijuana by itself, especially in low doses, raises risk slightly, and nowhere near the level of risk associated with alcohol." (Report cited UK Department of the Environment, B. Sexton.)
In the accurate and informative, "Who's Really In Prison For Marijuana(Office of National Drug Control Policy)," John P. Walters writes, "The goal of drug laws, after all, is not to penalize, but to keep people from harming themselves and others." And Olson also states this, that rarely do "smokers," go to prison. But our jails and our court systems are overwhelmed by the war on drugs. And recreational marijuana use, as well as medical use, is prosecuted aggressively in Linn County.
An Albany police officer lends a hand at Montieth Park.
It is clear that marijuana causes "impairment," but is not on the same scale as alcohol. It is also clear, that children and drugs do not mix. As a society, finding the best way to raise our kids, is in the best interest of everyone involved. Voters have repeatedly sounded off on medical marijuana, assisted suicide, gay marriage, etc...while some powerful factions have tried to circumvent those voting processes. In this case, it is by a vague, scare-tactic letter, that does little to show why prohibiting marijuana makes kids safer.
As many states, including Oregon, move towards a less strict marijuana law, it is important to be relevant, when discussing law. Arbitrary opinions simply won't work. Minimizing(Olson, DH, Jan 26.), by understating the effects of alcohol, on Oregon roads, also won't work. According to the CDC, fatal car accidents involve alcohol a third of the time. Can the same be said of marijuana? To say that alcohol is safer on the road and behind the wheel, is ignorant at best.
In America, we have tolerated tobacco, encouraged abuse of alcohol, sanctioned prescription drugs, and vilified marijuana, just like we vilify the President.
In the end, what Oregon needs, and wants, is to be heard. More people, simply do not want severe laws when it comes to marijuana, a drug that has been at the forefront of a changing ideology about "no tolerance."
That story next week. Until then, thank-you for not littering.
D.U.I.I. patrol in downtown Albany.
As I edited this article, I clicked over to Twitter, and Fox12 out of Portland has a tweet with a photo. It is of a truck in a ditch. "Alcohol believed to be a factor," the caption read.
A better look at why we should try to prevent access to marijuana, especially in our youth, is from Randye Hoder and Time.com, Time Magazine's website.
In Massachusetts, January 31, 2014: Doctor describes the state's "medical pot" dispensaries as mostly unregulated and dangerous. This approach is an educated scare tactic, as the people who are using, have been using without serious issues for many years. America has limited tobacco ads aimed at kids. Now, in a time of changing perception about marijuana, it is time to address how to get our kids hooked on the world, and not hooked on weed.
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