We note that these same concerns can be applied to any other pharmaceutical opioid and other drug types as well as alcohol, so we are dumbfounded by the GOP’s fecklessness here. While nobody has argued that medical marijuana could lead to dancing, many have argued it to be a gateway drug to other illegal drugs. Most note that it is only a gateway drug if you keep it illegal and once legalized, it would be no more or less of a gateway than alcohol. Further, advocates note the massive legal, social and medical costs associated with alcohol and wonder why the GOP doesn’t share the same concern with it versus medical marijuana. Those with short memories may simply wish to google “Prohibition” to answer the question. The stunning and devastating facts surrounding opioid addiction make the consideration of marijuana as an alternative all the more compelling and the GOP’s failures in doing their job on medical marijuana that much more offensive.
Oooh, That Smell:
Failure to do their job aside, what is even more stunning and reckless of the Republicans in the legislature is what they have already done to set up this disastrous implementation of medical marijuana. First, they set up a system to reward their Cronies – they all but spelled out ‘family member of a legislator’ – when they created one of the standards required to grow the product. It may seem like a high regulatory burden, but high regulatory burdens that their friends and family can meet do not equal meaningful regulations, they simply equate to contempt for the people and fraud. Given how pot has been cultivated in Central America, and all over the United State in covert shelters, open forests, hidden green housese, backyards, etc. by modern day “bootleggers,” – many of whom are teenagers – makes the initial requirement to have owned a nursery for 20 years outright laughable. Experience in growing plants isn’t the challenge, controlling the output should be the focus instead. The obvious attempt to help one House member with this regulation stinks to high heaven. While we’re sure Rep. Halsey Beshears never participated in the discussion of this standard, as that would be wrong, it sure smells bad.
