I accidentally attended the city’s recreational marijuana legalization debate Aug. 26 when I went to ask the city to take a symbolic stand against the misuse of the media in the Ferguson, Missouri, tragedy. I thank council for allowing free debate regarding such an emotional issue. I was at a bit of loss when the council chose to go with the pro-legalization group despite all the well-reasoned and documented evidence presented by several very experienced and knowledgeable members of the anti-legalization community.
I am writing because a statement that I made that was met with derision by some of the attendees and a few of the councilors. I stated that marijuana use has been connected to increased violence. I used the example of some bragging about “getting high and going out to kill somebody.” This statement, or something similar, has appeared in many TV and newspaper reports related to otherwise senseless killings from all over the country over the years.
Moreover, many well-funded studies have shown that marijuana use is even more common than alcohol use in the commission of all crime. I offer this study by the Heritage Foundation as evidence www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/09/legalizing-marijuana-why-citizens-should-just-say-no.
Councilor Keel said that even though he is morally opposed to using marijuana, he could not allow his feelings to create a moral imperative in legalizing recreational marijuana since the State of Colorado has already done so. I hold that there are no moral vacuums and that when a person abdicates their personal convictions in order to appease others, they are establishing an opposing moral imperative. The council did not listen to those who told of the devastating effect of marijuana use on family members, friends and themselves. I would hate to think that this vote could lead to the destruction of one soul. I believe a group as influential as the City Council has a moral obligation to protect the health and welfare of all its citizens instead of promoting the economic fortunes of a few.
Thank you for your attention, and for taking on the difficult chore of managing our town.
Alvin C. Collom
Cortez