POT DISPENSARIES ARE CAMEL'S NOSE IN TENT

While in Honolulu, I came across an article titled "Profitable Pot" in
the Star-Advertiser (March 20), a disturbing piece about medi-pot and
the pending legislation in Hawaii that would allow for the
distribution of pot through a dispensary.

As a drug policy expert for more than 25 years, I can tell you that
Hawaii is sliding down the same slippery slope as a few states have
done.

For example, in one California city 12 percent of medi-pot cardholders
are younger than 21.

Another alarming example is the number of pot shops that overwhelm
cities after this type of legislation is passed. Areas in Colorado and
California have more pot shops than McDonalds and Starbucks combined.

The bottom line is this: Pot shops, or so-called dispensaries, are in
business to make money for their owners. They have been tied to
organized crime gangs and are often multi-million dollar centers. They
are easy marks for criminal activity because of the valuable marijuana
crops and large amounts of cash.

Beware Hawaii. Don't make the same mistakes other states have and are
currently paying for in health care and societal costs!

Calvina Fay

Executive Director, Drug Free America Foundation

St. Petersburg, Fla.