Prop. 203 is too open to abuse

EDITOR:

Please consider the risks of Proposition 203 (the medical marijuana
initiative) to our children and to our community at large before
voting in November.

On its face, Prop. 203 presents an option for extremely ill Arizonans
to relieve excruciating pain - something we can all support. But, like
most legislation, it is not cut-and-dried. There is much in this
initiative that will negatively impact us all as residents, employers,
landlords, co-workers and parents.

If Prop. 203 passes, adults and youths younger than 18, with parental
permission and approval from two physicians (medical doctor,
osteopath, naturopath or homeopath), will be allowed to smoke pot.
Several specific illnesses are cited as being benefited by marijuana
use, including "severe and chronic pain." That alone opens the door to
abuse.

While you may not request medical marijuana, how can you be certain
that your neighbors or the families of your children's friends will do
the same? How can you know your children will not be driving with
classmates who are impaired by the legal use of medical marijuana?
Kids are curious and marijuana will be much more readily available in
our community with the passage of Prop. 203. Statistics show that
states that have legalized medical marijuana have a decreased
perception of drug risk among youth. This factor plays into the
increased use of drugs by children ages 12-17 in those states that
have passed medical marijuana legislation.

I believe that the negative impacts of Prop. 203 on our community far
outweigh the good, and I will certainly vote "no" on 203. I urge you
to learn more about this initiative.

Pam Mason

Prescott Valley