Letter: Question 7 ‘no’ voters deserve what they get

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 | 7:37 a.m.

Voters have said no to Question 7 again, even after it was refined to include only an ounce of marijuana for personal private use by adults, safeguards to protect minors, government control of growing and distribution and, most importantly, taxation, which would have likely paid for our education system. Not to mention taking the profits away from cartels and creating a new industry with hundreds of jobs.

The illegal pot pushers were really sweating this one out, since it more than likely would have put them out of business. But, by saying no, voters should realize that they have actually voted for their business to continue "as is." Legal sales of this weed by the state would have replaced them with the same product at a fraction of what they are selling it for.

The hard fact is that this "no" vote will not stop anyone from using marijuana. By voting no, voters have said that we want marijuana cartels to continue supplying pot to street suppliers who will continue to fleece users by demanding and getting many times what it is worth. This includes minors.

This controlled substance (THC) is not a narcotic, and is actually prescribed by doctors where it is legal, because it attenuates pain. It is not habit-forming, nor is it nearly as dangerous to our health as legal cigarettes or alcohol, or misuse of most "legal" drugs prescribed by doctors. This "no" vote also says that we want our police to spend their time writing reports, busting users for possession of a controlled substance, creating statistics for their agency, when their time could be used to arrest major violators such as robbers, burglars, drunk drivers, speeders and much worse.

Way to go, voters! Hopefully, this question will appear on the next ballot after we think about these things for awhile.

Frank Musaraca, Henderson