Pubdate: Sun, 03 Jun 2012
Source: Bakersfield Californian, The (CA)
Copyright: 2012 The Bakersfield Californian
Contact:  http://www.bakersfield.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/36
Author: Zach Lotze

MEASURE G'S BIG SHORTCOMING

I was reading through my voter information booklet recently, and I got
to county Measure G. It seemed like a list of reasonable, somewhat
boring regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries. And then I came
across this: "No edible products containing marijuana shall be
distributed or sold on the premises of any medical marijuana
dispensary." Umm -- may I ask why?

Marijuana smoke contains more carcinogens than tobacco smoke. Yet
Measure G forbids those with a legitimate medical need for marijuana
from purchasing it in edible form in Kern County. It only allows for
the sale of marijuana in smokable form. It seems obvious that this is
a bad idea. People who use medicinal marijuana suffer enough as it is.
Do they really have to risk developing respiratory problems, or
possibly even cancer, too?

Also, if Measure G passes, it can be amended at any time by the Kern
County Board of Supervisors without voter approval. It may be the
product of good intentions, but Measure G places the interests of
county lawmakers above the interests of medicinal marijuana patients
in Kern County. I think I know what my vote will be on this one.

Zach Lotze

Bakersfield
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MAP posted-by: Matt