Time to Wake Up and Smell the Pot

I write to offer some assurance to the author of “Dubious About Prop” regarding the sheriff’s concerns about the potential hazards to our children presented by marijuana advertising following the passage of Proposition 64.

The initiative imposes restrictions on “Advertising and Marketing” that focus responsibility on the licensee responsible for its content. I encourage Mr. Moyer and others to read pages 194 and 195 of the Official Voter Information Guide.

Moreover, Prop. 64 provides specific safeguards with restrictions on “Packaging and Labeling” and expressly states that marijuana products shall not be “designed to be appealing to children or easily confused with commercially sold candy or foods that do not contain marijuana.” This protection was included as a result of the Colorado and State of Washington experiences.

The anticipated regulations that will be adopted by the new Bureau of Marijuana Control do far more than “protect corporate profits.” They will also reduce the potential for distribution of high-potency cannabis by regulating quality control in licensed stores.

It’s long past time to recognize that prohibition of drugs is a futile strategy to reduce the use of drugs.