LEGALIZE & LIMIT MARIJUANA - NO

Backers of the measure to legalize marijuana for Alaskans 21 and older
make a good point when they say the war on drugs isn't working. But
their answer, to legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol and
tobacco, leaves too many unanswered questions.

We know that anyone attempting to sell marijuana would be in violation
of federal law. The feds might not go after the user, but it's
unlikely they would tolerate a retail vendor.

So how would this work, exactly? Proponents say they've deliberately
left that up to the Legislature and whatever regulatory body the state
creates. That leaves voters not really knowing exactly what they're
voting for.

Proponents also argue that regulated, taxed and limited to adults,
marijuana likely would be used less by youngsters. That's not a fact;
it's a guess.

This initiative raises a fair question and also elevates the level of
debate in that it asks Alaskans to look at marijuana use and law
enforcement with intelligence and reason. Alaskans have done that
before -- voters approved the medical marijuana initiative in 1998, a
simple act of decency that the state has hamstrung with
regulations.

But this initiative also asks us to vote for a legalized drug
experiment with too many variables. Prudence says no.

bottom line: Vote NO on Ballot Measure 2.