Budding practice

Security first, second and third

IF WE’RE going to do this, Mr. and Mrs. Arkansawyer, then we need to do it right. As more dope is peddled around the all-too Natural State as “medical marijuana,” the least we can do is keep it locked up.

One of the main reasons to be opposed to legalized medical marijuana in the first place is that the kids tend to get into it. Just as they do beer and mother’s little helpers. Oh, yes, there’s proof: When our fellow Union member— Colorado—began this trend of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, hospitals in that state began reporting some disturbing trends. In early 2013, a study showed that 74 percent of teens being treated for substance abuse around Denver had admitted to using somebody else’s medical marijuana at some point.

Seventy-four percent. Somebody else’s medical marijuana.

The study said, in the best sciencetese: “Medical marijuana use among adolescent patients in substance abuse treatment is very common, implying substantial diversion from registered users.”

Translation: The kids are getting into the stash.

In 2011, with only medical marijuana available legally, 56 percent of fatal car crashes in Colorado involved somebody smoking dope. When asked in 2011, nearly a quarter of high school kids in Boulder said they were marijuana users. At one hospital in Aurora, more than 1,375 kids younger than 12 were treated for unintentional ingestion of marijuana between 2005 and 2011.

But now Arkansas has legalized medical marijuana, too. Let’s hope and pray voters stop there and don’t follow Colorado and the Pacific states toward complete legalization, that is, recreational use. If marijuana is a gateway drug, medical marijuana might be a gateway law.

So if we’re going to make sure only those with doctors’ approvals get the weed, somebody needs to buy some padlocks.

A few days back, this state’s Cannabis Industry Association met to discuss various topics, chief among them: security for cultivation centers and dispensaries.

Facilities must have surveillance cameras running nonstop and alarm systems linked to the local police department. It costs tens of thousands of dollars to install these things, and that doesn’t even include the cost of storage safes.

Problems abound. As many assumed they would. Besides the potential for “missing” dope, owners of these facilities aren’t allowed to do business with banks, according to federal law. So these weed dispensaries rely heavily on cash. And, the thinking goes, when they open they’ll be considered prime targets by thieves and robbers. Oh, what a tangled web.

Also, there may be a rule that requires two employees ride in any vehicle transporting pot. That way, there’s less likely a chance that one employee takes a wrong turn to Florida. Business owners say that’ll increase expenses. It should also be required. Business owners can pass the costs on.

Because security should be the first, second and third priority for these marijuana businesses.

If we’re going to do this (sigh), we need to do it right.