'Details' worrisome
Dear editor:
Many voters will vote on Issue 4 solely based on whether they are for or against allowing people to purchase and possess small quantities of marijuana for nonmedical use within Arkansas. Many won't take the time to consider the details of the proposal. If they did, they might change which way they vote.
Issue 4 will regulate how the cannabis is grown and sold. In doing so, it will funnel this additional business and its profits to a relatively few companies which will have control over it. Issue 4 is written in a way to permanently limit competition and prevent future entrants. Maybe look at the list of large donors to the Responsible Growth Arkansas campaign that is pushing Issue 4; notice the large contributions from those few companies that received licenses to grow or sell medical marijuana.
Currently, medical marijuana is taxed, but if Issue 4 passes, that tax goes away. Recreational marijuana has significant taxes, but medical marijuana will have not just reduced taxes, but no taxes; there will be a huge incentive for people to somehow qualify for the medical marijuana. Let's not be surprised if we see these dispensaries that will be selling both medical and recreational marijuana report selling lower and lower percentages of recreational marijuana compared to medical marijuana.
Those of us that have vehicles that we insure might be interested in looking at the amount of average cost increases in auto insurance the Arkansas Farm Bureau found in states where marijuana has been legalized.
Please consider the details within Issue 4 before voting for or against it.
Ron Kew
Hot Springs
Legalization problems
Dear editor:
The problems created by the legalization of recreational marijuana far outweigh any advantages.
The THC content of cannabis products has gone up from less than 2% to 45% or greater over the last 30 years. We do not yet know the effects of continual use of these high concentrations of THC. Marijuana causes physical and psychological addiction, meaning that it is difficult to stop using even though it is causing health and social problems. Many claims of benefits from medical marijuana are not actually supported by evidence.
According to the CDC, marijuana can cause multiple health problems including heart attack, stroke, lung damage, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis and schizophrenia. It affects memory, learning, decision-making, coordination and reaction time. Next to alcohol, marijuana is the substance most associated with impaired driving. Marijuana passes through breast milk and affects the babies of pregnant users.
The CDC also has found that legalization of recreational marijuana is not associated with a decrease in opioid overdose deaths. A Yale researcher reports that marijuana use before age 25 causes structural brain changes. Teens are at higher risk of mental disorders and decreased IQs 5-13 points from marijuana use. The Journal of Addiction Research and Therapy reports that marijuana use can result in aggressive behavior and violence.
In states where recreational marijuana has been legalized, black market sales continue to thrive and traffic fatalities associated with marijuana use have increased as have child poisonings due to ingestion of cannabis products. Colorado K-12 schools have shown a 45% increase in drug violations. Marijuana increases suicidal ideation and is the leading substance found in suicides of 10-19 year-olds in Colorado.
Please remember these statistics when you vote on Issue 4.
Lisa Larey
Royal
'No' to Issue 4
Dear editor:
I am writing in response to Issue 4 and the personal responsibility of our citizens if this measure is passed. Since the criteria for medical conditions for marijuana is readily available for various ailments, including "restless leg syndrome," it is available to anyone. This leniency, permits, basically anyone, access to as much marijuana as they can consume.
My concerns include that the above availability, creates a large market, enticing organized crime, into our county. As though, the gambling industry is not enough of a draw for them.
In addition, increasing the availability of marijuana also translates to more incidents of marijuana or marijuana plus alcohol-influenced driving. The most recent statistics that I can find are for 2019, when there were 6,000 traffic-related deaths due to the consuming of alcohol, alone. Never mind, that marijuana now becomes part of the mix.
Vote "no" on Issue 4.
Patricia Harris Heckmann
Hot Springs
An easy choice
Dear editor:
I would like to thank Marcia Albaugh for helping me determine the correct candidate to cast my vote for Arkansas governor. I do try to take the time to research the background and resume of candidates, and had been impressed with Chris Jones. He has degree in physics and mathematics from Morehouse College, and obtained a master's degree in nuclear engineering/technology and policy from M.l.T. He has worked as a physicist, minister, and nonprofit leader.
So his actual bona fides clearly outshone his opponent, Sarah Sanders Huckabee, whose experience consists of a degree in political science at OBU, and a few months as White House press secretary. Mr. Jones has actually had real jobs not paid by taxpayers.
Nonetheless, there are, as Marcia Albaugh pointed out, other things to look for in a candidate, such as them being "Godly, Bible-believing (I'm not sure which version of the Bible she was alluding to), moral candidates."
So when I weighed those things, I found my decision made. Sanders, a person who knowingly went in front of the nation and regurgitated lies, misinformation, and falsehoods for Donald Trump, versus Jones, a minister and a person who has gone out in the community and worked with groups to make a difference in people's lives.
So again, thank you, Marcia Albaugh, for making it clear to at least myself that the choice for Arkansas governor is actually a really easy one.
R.B. Keener
Hot Springs