Prohibit pot shops downtown

While peacefully protesting recently at Lucky Leaf Co., a downtown marijuana shop, I saw that though proof of legal age is required to be in the shop, nothing was stopping possible minors I saw there from waiting outside for a companion of legal age or with passable ID to purchase marijuana.

The concerns of the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council and others about marijuana shops downtown are more than justified. What cannot be justified is for the rest of us to ignore both those concerns and our responsibility to protect young people. I urge the City Council to prohibit marijuana shops downtown, including any already there.

On that disturbing day at Lucky Leaf, some customers even arrived with children in their cars. As I walked by one such car with my sign, a child inside looked into my eyes and gave me a silent thumbs-up with his hand. His much-appreciated look and gesture reminded me of my own childhood feelings when alcohol was the problematic drug of preference in our home. Some of my memories of those years are still painful for me even now at my current age of 63.

Kenneth Hammann

Spokane