Here comes the sell. There was a front-page article in the News Journal April 24 with information supplied by a state-funded organization. Kind of like the government lobbying itself. Is the government and those advocating legalizing pot ready for all the associated costs from another drug which will have similar costs to alcohol use/abuse?
There are some questions I have about the bill legalizing the "recreational use" of marijuana. How does the government propose to test for those using marijuana (pot) while driving? Has a new test been developed besides a blood test? How will it be sold and who will control the handling of licenses? Where will it be grown and can I grow my own? What happens to those who are pulled over having used medical marijuana?
The one cost that government may not have included is the cost of those who use marijuana as a gateway drug, one that leads to use of other drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, LSD and others. What are these costs? I am sure there is no conclusive research on this subject.
There is evidence on both sides. Whose side will win depends on the tax dollars seen in the eyes of those wishing to fill the state's deficit. Do they believe the tax revenue will outperform the cost in dollars in enforcement as well as all the associated costs to society in other areas?
How do you reconcile that pot is still illegal under federal jurisdiction? There will be no federal (our tax money) dollars for funding enforcement or areas related. How is revenue generated from tickets and related activities for enforcement, etc. reported to the federal government? Can it be? Is it perhaps just another government slush fund?
Voting to further erode the morality of society for the hope of raising more tax revenue, or other issues, is a dark deed. So, if you decide to support this step, be fully aware and prepared for the consequences.
We can only pray that this is not one of the bills worked in the wee hours of the last day under dark of night when most people will not show up in opposition to watch. As an aside, there is already a medical use of marijuana permitted in Delaware. Is this added use only an easy way to plug the deficit?
John Poe
Bridgeville
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