"Smoke"

Dear Friend,

But, I Never Inhaled...
Fueling the 60's, helping forget the 70's, clouding the 80's, waxing and waning through the 90's and screaming into the new millennium. Marijuana, Pot, Weed, Grass, 420, Ganga, Dope, Herb, Joint, Blunt, Cannabis, Reefer, Mary Jane, by any other name, an ongoing, multi-faceted, controversy. 

For or Against Legalization - Question #1
The political playing field on which the legalization of marijuana plays out its drama looks as if it has been lined by too many officials. One set uses red (or hopefully, black) representing the states economy; a second set uses green, the color of healthy choices; another in the beige of anti-prohibition and the final set uses uniform blue as a concern for public and personal safety. A confusing field of play none-the-less. Each has its own logic, its own supporters and its own distractors. Not such an easy question to answer, is it? BTW, S95 did pass in the Senate and is now in the House. Regardless of the final legislative outcome, this issue begs a second question.

Good for You or Not Good for You - Question #2
Of the four angles pitched on our imaginary playing field you can find ample room to debate three - is this good or bad for the economy, is it right or wrong to regulate the use, and is it easy or difficult (costly) to enforce and detect. The fourth question, is it healthy (non-harmful)? is all in the science. What does the research say? I'm not the pot doc so I can't answer this question. But I do agree with others that the only way that we can wrap our minds around this cloudy issue is through solid education. So I encourage us all to "git learnt!" 

Where, When?
Glad you asked. Whether you are a parent, business, educator, clinician, chamber member or all of the above - you need to get the facts. This is where I am going to learn more: Monday, March 7th, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Swanton Village Complex. This working forum will present the current state of knowledge on marijuana, its effects and biology, as well as the methods of screening and intervention being adopted to identify and treat problems associated with its use. Free, open to the public. Be there. Registration requested, HERE

Did You Know?
Cheech and Chong...

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Dave Southwick