RED HERRINGS

Editor's note: Craig City Attorney Kenny Wohl did not discuss this
editorial with the board because of a conflict of interest.

For a while, it seemed the local medical marijuana issue would come
and go without much attention.

That changed Nov. 10, the most recent Craig City Council meeting,
when several residents made it clear they did not want marijuana use
condoned in town.

Some said they opposed any use, even out of medical necessity. Others
told the council that law enforcement would not be able to contain
marijuana's influence once it is allowed legally.

People were passionate, emotional and angry.

They have a right to be. Their opinions and values should be
considered very carefully by the city's elected officials, as should
the opinions and values of those who own Craig's only dispensary, the
Craig Apothecary, and those who believe that marijuana may be the
best medicine for painful illnesses and conditions.

The Editorial Board only hope that people will be able to control
themselves as the City Council goes through its process of approving
an ordinance to govern dispensaries.

Far too often, our country is thrown into heated, emotional arguments
that threaten to derail our system of government.

Abortion. Gay marriage. The death penalty.

These issues affect very few people for the amount of time that goes
into debating them.

This board hopes that the discussion around medical marijuana will
not become the same kind of sludge that could halt meaningful action
on other local issues, ones we think are more important, and ones
that affect many more lives.

Methamphetamine addiction is out of control in Moffat County. It
seems to be on every block of every street and in every apartment
complex.

Cocaine use seems to be on the rise, and cocaine is a drug that
actually attracts dangerous levels of organized crime because of its
dollar value and surrounding culture.

Alcohol abuse fuels hundreds of violent crimes every year, from
domestic assaults to child abuse to brutal street fights.

Public education is in dire need of more support. While it seems
additional funding is a long way off, community involvement is free.
We encourage residents to take hold of their children's education and
help our community's teachers and school administrators develop our
youth.

Not every member of this board has children, and we must concede that
a person's worldview changes dramatically when they are faced with
that level of responsibility.

However, we cannot see medical marijuana being as important to this
community as these other issues, especially considering the council's
proposed ordinance, which makes it expensive and difficult to open a
dispensary within city limits.

We hope, in this case, that reason will win out, and that the
community will turn to face its darkest demons, not the ones that are
the easiest fodder.