Recreational cannabis is a big can of worms

A philosopher (G.K. Chesterson) wrote, “On first reading, it doesn’t make sense; on second reading, nothing else makes sense.” And this was my feeling when I first read about the draft regulations that would allow those with marijuana convictions to get priority in New York’s retail cannabis industry.

I was confused and puzzled by the entire process of legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes from the very beginning. I realize this is a little late in coming and is now after the fact. However, was a lesson not learned from the legalization of alcohol? Don’t get me wrong: I will be the first in line for a glass, or even two, at the ring of the dinner bell. But this is a society that does not do well with discipline, good judgment or thinking-before-acting.

With respect to licensing, “justice-involved” persons are those convicted of a crime in accordance with a law in effect at the time. Changing the law now does not mean that the previous law was wrong or inadvertently applied; only the thinking has changed.

And don’t get me started about cannabis lounges. Will there then be cannabis-related automobile accidents? Is there a breathalyzer for cannabis? How is cannabis intoxication determined/ discerned?

As if there were not enough problems in the world, recreational cannabis must now be added to the list. License puzzlement is only one of the problems that will ensue with respect to recreational cannabis.

A can of worms rife with constitutional challenges, inequities, racism, discrimination and more is being opened. Perhaps it will deflect from the fact that we are on the verge of World War III. Anna De Sorbo Colonie