ENRIQUES QUESTIONS

Ray Legendre's letter (Tribune-Herald, Jan. 24) about the economic impact of
legal cannabis touches many points and speaks for over 58 percent of local
citizens who see a similar vision. It is such a no-brainer, really.

A wise friend of mine, Norman, once said if you have a wild horse, it is
better to use that energy for good than to try to contain it. I think we
could say the same about the shadow economy of this island that generates
more GREEN than all the rest of the agricultural products put together.

But then we have the head-up-da-okole councilman, Guy Enriques, who wants
to protect us from pot-smoking doctors. Heavens-to-flee-bites, Mr.
Enriques, would you rather your physician be diagnosing you from the fog
of a legal pharmaceutical opiate taken with the morning Starbucks, or from
the haze of an herb that anyone can grow in their back yard? Mr. Enriques,
are you getting campaign dollars from those who profit from keeping it
illegal? Because I know you are not speaking for your constituency. Just
curious.

I don't know about you, but most hardworking, responsible professionals
prefer their personal inebriate when pau hana. Not everyone is so utterly
irresponsible, and I would venture to say if anyone's doctor is floating
around on cannabis or any other psychotropic thingy, they will soon
discover that their reputation is getting choke stink on dat "coconut
wireless" we all depend on.

Just what is the difference between puffing on a cigarette or a few hits
from a cannabis spliff? Why is a cigarette legal but cannabis is not? When
I first got high off of a legal joint of tobacco (then barfed my guts out
afterward!), I gasped in astonishment that it was legal and cannabis was
not. I have never understood how this can be. Mr. Enriques, can you tell
me why?

How many lives are lost to tobacco every year? How many lives are lost to
cannabis bong hits? Can you tell me? I do know that it is the BIG dollars
that have vested interest in keeping certain things like hemp/cannabis
illegal. I'm thinking drug cartels and pharmaceutical corporations. What
do you think?

Victoria Hokulani Latenser

Mountain View