Consider: Among drivers of Washington fatal crashes from 2008-2016, “44 percent tested positive for poly-drug use … most prevalent combination being alcohol and cannabis. … Respondents believe that cannabis helps them sober up after consuming alcohol.” (“Marijuana use while driving,” Jan. 4).

This distressing statistic reveals a much larger problem.

Our neighbors, friends, employees and co-workers drive impaired to work, to the store, to your kids’ activities. Aftereffects linger; “residue” is detectable 30 days after use. Most will never be involved in a fatal crash, thankfully. But they are also working, parenting, living impaired.

$20 Lyft gift cards won’t solve the problem.

Adults exercise their “legal right” to be impaired, but our children and babies have no voice in whether to be subjected to (ab)use. Research proves prenatal cannabis use affects neurological and cognitive development (hence 21 and over), yet “Three of four women believe there is no risk to using it while pregnant. Why is unknown.” Why, indeed?

Look at S-R’s promotion of pot. Front page stickers. Evercannabis’ colorful, “helpful” recipes to “add fun to your cheese board.” Misleading ads suggest snowboarders publicly partake (discreetly) on the slopes (a huge no-no; the first code of snow sports is to be under control). Suggesting a New Year’s resolution to try pot in 2019.

Billboards? Everywhere. Happy, good-looking people living life on the edge. Shops? Numerous, with bright lights/large flags/gimmicks to capture a first look, invite you in to try – no, “experience.”

Cannabis’ siren song lures adults and drags its most vulnerable members to the rocks. Consider the multigenerational consequences.

Ingrid Sievers

Spokane