Weighing in
A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news
The marijuana debate again drew heavy reaction from readers last week as state lawmakers in Olympia tackled a proposed plan to legalize and tax the currently illegal drug, while pot advocates took the first step toward getting a legalization measure on the November ballot.
•On the proposed ballot measure:
Empyrius: Yes! Re-legalize our Lord’s greatest plant given unto humanity!
AXE: Don’t we have enough dopes in Olympia?
Suzanne Saunders: How many deaths from marijuana in Washington state in the last 5 years? How many deaths from police officers? Get your priority on, Washington! Yeah!
Scoutster: I hope the right wing “get- government-off-our- back” yahoos join in this fight as well. This is as much about personal freedom and limited government as any trumped-up health or public safety issue.
Sugar Shane: Cannabis has been in use by mankind for over 5,000 years. It is neither right nor justified to legislate morality. Alcohol prohibition was a dismal failure and the launching point for organized crime to rake in millions. Make this safe and effective medicine a regulated substance like alcohol or tobacco.
Spoketucky: I agree with lifting the prohibition against the adult use of marijuana, but believe using the potential of tax windfalls as a reason is both wrong and could lead to other decisions that convert criminal activity into sources of state revenue. Marijuana use by adults should be legal because it is the right thing to do and is consistent with the freedoms envisioned by the Founding Fathers, not because doing so would solve budget problems.
Scoutster: People shouldn’t do Big Macs either, but they do.
•On the legislative proposals:
Gramma: I think it’s just amazing that when the government wants more money, they legalize things, i.e., tobacco, alcohol, sex for sale. If it’s bad for you, it doesn’t matter if the government makes money – It’s still bad. They aren’t talking about hemp. What happens when someone high from a doobie kills someone with their car? Who’s responsible?
Spokanada: Gramma, let me know when someone with a doobie kills someone with their car. Conversely, I will let you know every time someone dies from a drunk driver.
Mtdude: I will fire pot-smokers. I find they are very stupid. (Weed is not the anwser.) Pass what you want – I will make sure it is a firing offense.
Liberty_Bell: All you have to do is look at the fortunes made in Prohibition!