Don’t add to state’s pot of troubles

Retired officer says legalization is all about money, ignores social ills

“Not all money is good money.” Our grandparents gave this time-tested advice to our parents. Our parents said it to us. We shared this with our kids, and they shared it with theirs. What happened? Greed, combined with a lack of discipline to do the right thing. We can all persuade ourselves to believe anything we want to believe. Hang out with like people, and “groupthink” takes place.

Marijuana, cannabis, weed, dope, reefer, mota, Mary Jane, a doobie, a joint, a bong, a quick hit. Call it whatever you want. It’s bad news for society and it’s bad news for New Mexico. Yes, alcohol can be as bad, but most people have a beer or two with their burger at lunch. Husbands and wives often share a bottle of wine during a nice dinner out. People smoke dope to get high. Ya, I said it. They smoke dope to get high. Dope smokers don’t say, “Wow, it’s hot today. Let’s quench our thirst with a joint.”

As a law enforcement officer for 26 years, I have learned that today’s strains are much stronger, very much stronger, than the $10 lids they were smoking in the ’60s and ’70s. Today’s growing practices are very scientific. Much of the time, weed is hydroponically grown. This is a science and it’s dangerous. THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, levels are at their highest ever.

During the 2007 legislative session, then-governor Bill Richardson signed SB 253 into law, allowing marijuana to be used for very few medical issues. The list of issues has expanded greatly in recent years. I honestly believe that if I stubbed my toe against a wall and have pain for more than a couple of days, I could be prescribed medical marijuana.

I worked narcotics twice during my career. At the time of my retirement, I was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration. I receive valuable training regarding the dangers of illicit drugs.

“As the strength of cannabis has increased, so, too, has the number of people entering treatment for cannabis-use problems. More Europeans are now entering drug treatment because of cannabis than heroin or cocaine,” lead author Dr. Tom Freeman says in a university release.

Last year, farmers in my area were advised that adequate water will not be available to them this 2021 growing season. But we have water for weed?

National groups such as NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and others began pushing for marijuana legislation back in 1970. Attempting to legalize marijuana was a bad idea in 1970, just as it is now.

We now have businesses all around town with the always odd-numbered seven- or nine-point marijuana leaf adorning their signs and buildings. What a shame. And then, some of these businesses have taken the sacred Red Cross symbol, changed the color from red to green, placed it on their signs and buildings, also.

It’s all about the money. Nothing more. Nothing less. Let’s not allow money to cloud our good judgment. New Mexico has its share of substance abuse problems. Let’s not add to the pot. No pun intended.

Let’s pray the Legislature does the right thing and votes this incredibly damaging legislation down during the special session.