By Deb Murphy
While the Board of Supervisors and law enforcement expressed support for the Compassionate Use Act, marijuana took a pretty heavy hit at Tuesday’s meeting with dispensaries described as “(expletive deleted) magnets” by Ed Obayashi of the Sheriff’s Department.
Inyo County may be shifting from a passive ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in preparation for what some feel is the inevitable passage of a state initiative to legalize the recreational use of pot, as opposed to its current de-criminalized status. The shift could either head in the direction of an active ban or rigid regulation of dispensaries.
Supervisors wavered between Matt Kingsley’s “do nothing” and “nip it in the bud,” suggested by Mark Tillemans. Noting the “huge changing landscape,” Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Carunchio encouraged the Board to look at “a minimum effective dose through zoning regulations while keeping an eye toward a long-term policy.”
According to Associate Planner Elaine Kabala, there has already been an interest in leasing property near Bishop to grow marijuana. The lease was not approved.
With the possibility of restricting dispensaries through zoning ordinances, Kabala gave the Supervisors the long and confusing background, starting in 1996 with the passage of Prop. 215, the CUA. The initial CUA has since been supplemented by additional legislation and case law. The bottom line: counties can regulate and restrict dispensaries as long as access to medical marijuana is not restricted. There are dispensaries in Mammoth Lakes, Ridgecrest, California City and Tehachapi.
To further blur the issue, the number of plants an individual can cultivate for medicinal use has increased through case law but cultivation for commercial use is still illegal. Dispensaries are considered non-profits and can either grow their own or buy from suppliers who are, essentially, growing pot illegally. According to Health and Human Services Director Jean Turner, the state legislature is trying to put laws in place preceding legalization of marijuana.
Turner explained the current county voluntary card system, a pilot program for residents of Inyo County with recommendations or prescriptions for medical marijuana. According to Turner, there are about 12 card-carrying medical marijuana users in the county.
Obayashi noted the correlation between medical marijuana and criminal activity, painting a vivid picture from his experience in Merced. “There’s a change in attitude,” he said referring to access to medical marijuana. “You lose the quality of life if you allow dispensaries. There’s a social, mental attitude of tolerance. People push the limits and law enforcement doesn’t have the resources to deal with it…. Once you open the door, there’s chaos. The impacts mushroom overnight.”
Evoking the money warehouse scene in “Blow,” Obayashi noted that dispensaries are a cash business. Marijuana is still a Schedule 1 drug under the federal Controlled Substance Act, right up there with heroin and LSD. Federally-regulated banks cannot accept pot money, Obayashi said, leading to an increase in home invasion robberies and other criminal activity.
However, according to an April 15, CNN report, the House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing banks to handle cash proceeds from dispensaries and other legal marijuana businesses. A 2013 Gallop Poll indicated a near 50-50 split in the country’s attitude toward a change in the federal marijuana laws.
“There’s not enough background,” said District Attorney Tom Hardy. “I’m supportive of the status quo until we see how the ground shifts.”
Supervisors Rick Pucci and Jeff Griffiths both encouraged public input at any future discussion of dispensary regulations.
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low- you just named at least eight issues that seem to be of greater concern than the legalization of marijuana. With a failing economy, overcrowded prisons, threat of terrorism, racial wars, underfunded education system, organized crime/drug wars, alcohol and drug abuse epidemic, super bugs, chronic illness, and health care, our current president and the huge debt he created, the historical drought, and third world living conditions and rioting….who the hell cares about the stinky weed.
prescription pills. far more dangerous, far more addicting, and prescribed by your doctor. i think mcdonalds and sodas should be outlawed. i think crime rates will drop if they were.
I agree Allen. With prescription pills, tobacco, and alcohol, all killing more people in the name of big business profits then marijuana ever has or will Ed Obayashi views are complete BS.
We need to make marijuana legal and put Ed out of business.
lowinyo- huh? 4 20 parties? who cares! If people want to smoke, so be it. Why should it bother you or anyone else? I do not smoke. I do not like the high. Making it legal is not going to change that. I am still not going to like the high. At the same time, I would allow someone who smokes, to do so in my presence and in my home. Marijuana use, whether medicinal, recreational, or otherwise, is not going to increase crime. It will decrease it.
..allen :..YES !!! Legalizing marijuana will be the save -all for the Country,and possibly the World.The Country will vote in the next President based on his desire to legalize pot,and he will turn out to be the best President since JFK.Allowing military personal to smoke pot will make the Country stronger. Medicinal purposes will not only cure but also prevent terrible diseases.Crime as we know it now will end.The drug cartels will cease to exist.Not only will people will quit drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes,but also quit using the harder more dangerous drugs.Traffic accidents and fatalities will drop,since pot smokers are better,more aware drivers on the highway.There will be no more racial divides like what’s going on now,and a VERY good chance problems with other Countries and terrorist groups will improve.The economy will improve.Living conditions will improve for everyone.People will live longer,happier,healthier lives.The school system will improve,with students doing better and being more focused in the classroom,and becoming productive citizens…And when we all see how things are improving,the prices of pot will go down to what it was back in the 70’s,making it possible for everyone to buy an ounce of good weed for no more than $15.00,making it affordable for everyone.I’m thinking if marijuana was legalized,a good chance it will even somehow end the drought ! And everyone will sit back and say “Why didn’t we all do this sooner ? “.
Ed Obayashi should retire. We don’t need his relic views in our Sheriff department.
Supervisor Kingsley wants to “nip it the bud” and CAO Carunchio suggests “a minimum effective dose” …hmmm….
I agree with Obayashi as far as the sh** magnets comment, it’s totally true The individuals I believe he is REEFERing to (sorry, couldn’t help it) are the FEW individuals that always ruin it for everyone else. “The change in attitude” comment is also accurate. The new attitude, in the few, is it’s legal therefore I have the right and I can do it wherever I want and I don’t have to be courteous of others. Again, this is only the few. They are easy to spot, they are the ones that most resemble somebody you may have seen on the “Jerry Springer Show.”
Where I disagree with Obayashi is where he says its right up there with heroin and LSD, that comment is so far off it makes me think maybe he’s hiding something, he may be the only cop on the planet to think that.
this county, and country, for that matter, has far bigger problems than marijuana.
I check this site daily and see the far bigger problems facing Inyo County than marijuana.
http://inyo.crimegraphics.com/2013/default.aspx
The LEO who compares marijuana to heroin is off his rocker.
allen :Very well said in so few words,and same with Mark’s statement above.Yesterday I was talking to a friend about that very thing,and pointed out that legalizing marijuana seems to be the # 1 issue of many Americans,going as far as who,depending on their stance,they will be voting for in the next Presidential election.When I got home,I read into a story of ISIS violently taking over a city,and reading of their threats to the U.S. citizens.And later got into an article showing Russian and Chinese soldiers,HUGE groups of them…..and just for fun,I googled “Colorado 4-20 photos” and the “pot parties” they had there that day….and going on what I saw,I’ll say it again…..if things in this Country don’t change quickly,the next generation might be in a whole lot of trouble.
unfortunately, the 3 of you are such poor writers, I can’t even get the gist of your comments…or maybe I should change that to fortunately!
..sugar :If you go to “urban dictionary” what your doing is being a “grammar nazi”….
“There are dispensaries in Mammoth Lakes, Ridgecrest, California City and Tehachapi.”
I know, and I have to wonder if people who have to go that far out of their way to obtain their medicine, will also take their shopping there too? May as well, it’ll justify the gas.
If dispensaries bring a criminal element, how about all the bars? Maybe we should close those down, and every place that sells liquor?
Yes! If you have to leave the county to run a medicine errand, and yes it is medicine, then why not take your other errand dollars to the next county as well? Why spend money here when according to Mr. Obayashi you are not welcome and thought of as [expletive]?
Such compassion here. Making you drive at least 2 hours to obtain medicine is NOT “compassionate”. But drink up folks, and don’t forget your cigarettes. Cancer waits for no one.
Lorijellybean you make a very good point. I’m sure they will do their shopping while in Ridgecrest.
They’ve got a Home Depot and a Wal Mart.
Maybe they should be allowed to sell candy also? Liquor stores do! Someday, pot will be sold at our over priced grocery stores. But, I’m not sure if they’ll sell it next to the cigarettes , booze , medicines or herds?
There is a small, VERY LOW profile and legal “delivery only” collective for “legitimate” medical cannabis recommendation holders other than the ones mentioned.
Just stopped at the local mart for gas and there was a line of assorted “expletive” scumbag types lining up to buy liquor and drive the roads of Inyo County with little chance getting caught.
It rots the brain, liver and encourages violence but no campaign against it?
And cancer causing cigarette sales are ok too?
Legal or not people will always grow, sell and smoke marijuana. Always have, always will.
To fight it has always been a costly losing battle, always has and always will be. So before we legalize it let’s learn as much as we can from the mistakes of other states that have legalized it for recreational use. California, being a very liberal state, its just a matter of time before it is legalized let’s face it.
I’ve heard in Colorado DUI’s are way up and people are smoking it in public, like cigarettes, with zero regard for those who prefer not to have to inhale the second hand smoke, some find it offensive. That is totally understandable. How do you teach etiquette? And since it is legal SOME feel they have the right to be offensive. Again, how do teach etiquette? The few will alway ruin it for eveyone else, mostly the younger generation in my opinion who have a higher sense of entitlement and little etiquette. After seeing people do things on skis, snowboards, snowmobiles, skateboards, dirt bikes, street bikes (riding wheelie for miles), mtn bikes, surfboards I do not completely agree it impairs one’s abilities.
On the pro pot side, there have been proven medical benifits in cancer patients and individuals with PTSD that cannot be ignored as well as fewer side effects and more affordable than pharmaceutical drugs. In that sense I feel every American should have the right to self medicate however they feel. I was once prescribed Vicoden, that stuff should be banned, I will drink whisky before I try that poison for pain, I can’t believe the doctor prescribed it to me, it was an awful experience. Prescrption drugs do not work the same for everybody. I knew somebody who at 28 had a heart attack, he told the doctor he smoked pot and the doctor said “smoke all you want.” For some getting stoned may work best.
Too bad we can’t legalize it for recreational use knowing all those who smoke it will be courteous of others, that ain’t gonna happen, we can’t even get cigarette smokers to do that.
Fight back against legal pot. Smoke tobacco. It is legal and will kill you just as certainly as heroin. And it doesn’t make you silly.
Smoke tobacco — big tobacco appreciates your help and sacrifice and it’s legal.
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/
Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body.1
More than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking.
For every person who dies because of smoking, at least 30 people live with a serious smoking-related illness.
Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Smoking is a known cause of erectile dysfunction in males.
Hey Ken, pots one of the treatments for cancer. The erectile thing I’m not to sure about!
Trouble: just one little nitpic point. Smoking pot is not a “treatment” for cancer. Pot is an anodyne for many kinds of pain and other conditions like glaucoma. But it is not a treatment.
Ken Warner ;Best one I’ve heard is weed treats,cures and even prevents asthma !!
check out the following article: US government agency acknowledges marijuana has role in cancer …
Wake up Inyo. Legalization is coming. Stop thinking this drug is equal to Heroin. This is going to end soon and the old timers need to wake up. I have been a productive member of your communitie, serving on the Inyo grand Jury twice, foreman once. I am an upper level manager of a major healthcare org. We are all around you. I do not drink or do anything else. A little puff at nite and my constant arthritis pain is gone no prescription drugs! Why is Inyo co. Interfering in my right to get legal medical Marijuana. County sups keep burying your heads in the sand and next thing it will be legal and you haven’t done anything, wow sounds like the sups dealing with DWP.
Remember no action does nothing but protect your precious board position.
Full disclosure: I am a retired law enforcement officer and active member of L.E.A.P. (law enforcement against prohibition). I am a long time resident of Inyo County.
The following information is for those who still possess critical thinking skills and are able to study the facts and come to their own conclusions.
****
Marijuana studies: Results buried
1. 1860, Ohio State Medical Society, first U.S. government study of Cannabis.
The study identified numerous maladies that were being successfully treated with cannabis.
“When pure and administered carefully, it is one of the most valuable medicines we have”
2. Late 1894, British Official Indian Hemp Commission:
The seven volumes and 3000 word report found; no connection between hemp use and crime, no evidence that hemp use drove men mad, no injurious effects on the mind and no moral injury whatsoever.
Their conclusion: “Suppression of the use of hemp would be totally unjustifiable”… any attempts to control or ban it would likely lead to far more serious problems with alcohol.
3. 1970s, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Jamaica study:
A comprehensive three year study on chronic ganja use by workers and their families; the study found no evidence of harmful changes in brain function or personality of chronic Jamaican ganja smokers.
4. 1970s, NIDA studies in Greece and Costa Rica:
NIDA found no palpable harm inflicted by the resinous herb, Neuropsychological and personality tests failed to reveal significant differences between cannabis smokers and nonsmokers.
5. 1944, La Guardia Report:
Conclusions; Incorrect to call cannabis a narcotic.. it is a mild euphoric, is not addictive, does not cause insanity, sexual deviance , violence or criminal misconduct.
6. 1968, Wooten Report by the British Parliament:
The report stated that cannabis was very much less dangerous than opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates or even alcohol. Cannabis did not lead to violence, psychosis, or dependence in normal people. That the long-asserted dangers of cannabis are exaggerated and laws against it are socially damaging if not unworkable.
7. 1972, Shafer Commission Report under Nixon administration:
Touted as the most in depth study of cannabis done in the U.S. at that time at 1,184 pages; found that…
Marijuana use does not cause physical or psychological harm; there are no significant withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped, it does not cause brain damage or birth defects, does not cause a compulsion to use hard drugs, has never caused a human fatality and neither cannabis or its use can be said to constitute a danger to public safety. Nixon was so mad that this study did not agree with his false beliefs that he buried it.
8. Mar. 1, 2011 European Journal of Neurology
“Spasticity is a disabling complication of multiple sclerosis, affecting many patients with the condition. Subjects were treated with nabiximols [Sativex], as add-on therapy, in a single-blind manner… This study has shown Sativex to improve spasticity in patients who had failed to respond adequately to other antispasticity medications…”
Mar. 1, 2011 – Alena Novotna, MD
9. Aug. 30, 2010 Canadian Medical Association Journal
“Adults with post-traumatic or postsurgical neuropathic pain were randomly assigned to receive cannabis at four potencies (0%, 2.5%, 6% and 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol) over four 14-day periods in a crossover trial. Participants inhaled a single 25-mg dose through a pipe three times daily for the first five days in each cycle, followed by a nine-day washout period. Daily average pain intensity was measured using an 11-point numeric rating scale.
Conclusion
A single inhalation of 25 mg of 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol herbal cannabis three times daily for five days reduced the intensity of pain, improved sleep and was well tolerated.”
Aug. 30, 2010 – Mark A. Ware, MD, MSc
Aug. 30, 2010 Canadian Medical Association Journal
“The primary analysis of change from baseline in mean pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score was statistically significantly in favor of THC:CBD compared with placebo…
Conclusion
This study shows that THC:CBD extract is efficacious for relief of pain in patients with advanced cancer pain not fully relieved by strong opioids.”
Nov. 6, 2009 – Jeremy R. Johnson, MBChB
10. June 2008
Thirty-eight patients underwent a standardized procedure for smoking either high-dose (7%), low-dose (3.5%), or placebo cannabis; of these, 32 completed all three smoking sessions. The study demonstrated an analgesic response to smoking cannabis with no significant difference between the low and the high dose cigarettes. The study concluded that both low and high cannabis doses were efficacious in reducing neuropathic pain of diverse causes.”
June 2008 – Barth Wilsey, MD
To those giving the thumbs down to what I said there,fine to do it all they want.And quite frankly,don’t care if or when it is legalized.Will just mean more opporitunities for me to find more work for those that don’t want to work.If legalized,just ANOTHER step of dumbing-down this Country,and maybe the aggressive others taking note of like what’s going on in Colorado,the “leaders of tomorrow” standing around in parks spending their days blowing pot-smoke in cameraman’s faces,all dressed up in green, and talking on cell-phones,texting, and laughing all day long.It’s the next generation who I feel sorry for are the ones that chose not to make legalized marijuana the center-piece of their lives,and chose not to go through their lives all high and silly,cause it seems they will be the minority,the ones that choose to have a career or join the Armed Forces to defend this Country.Good luck to the next generation,long after I’m dead and buried.The 50’s and 60’s year olds now,when we look back to the 1960’s and 70’s and see how things have gone to hell,wait till the 30 and 40 year olds now feel when they get to be in their 60’s.Glad I won’t be around to see it…Us old guys will be upstairs just shaking our heads.
Low Inyo- the only thing all us ” 60 and 70’s” pot heads were trying to do was keep our kids out of Vietnam. I know folks like you tend forget that life wasn’t quite the party they make it out to be. The draft was the number issue on teenagers mines back then.
It’s a little bit funny to me that Nixon got out of the Vietnam War , then started the war on drugs. Which I still call a declared war on our own people! It’s alright thou, Nixon got what he deserved!
Trouble : Not saying anything about it being a “party” back then.But we,as a Country,were a hell of a lot better and stronger back then than we are now..and will be in the future,unless things change quite a bit….and fast !….deny that…
Low-inyo- I think Inyo Counties future when it comes to jobs and the economy our bleak at best. Except for a few fat cats that run the the show!
Oops,” ARE” bleak at best.
Trouble :Have to agree with you on that….but not any more so than anywhere else.Look at the big cities with their crime problems,drug problems,riots,racisim problems, etc.,and a Government that no longer works FOR the people,on both sides.Like I said before,look back to the 60’s and 70’s.Then look at how things are now.Then think ahead to maybe 2040,add a few million more people,more crazy leaders of third world countries,among other things too long to list,IMO,if the World is still around as we see it today,it ain’t going to be a very nice,happy,surviveable place to be or live.
I’ll be happy to deny “that” pseudonym! You are full of it! No matter….
Your prognostications are as irrelevant as your opinions to me, as you do not exist.
The aninimity you so spinelessly cower behind, negates any weight that your statements might have had, and that aninimity does not even exist either. The bigotry that you pontificate here is offensive.
Anonymity.
Obayashi is living in a fantasy land if he believes his own roderick ! Unbelievable !
Typical old school law enforcement opinion. When the fact it they want to keep it illegal because it’s good for the law enforcement industry.
I’m going to bet more cops die from lung cancer then get shot. Yet cigarettes remain legal.
Oops replied to the wrong person! Trouble — I believe you mean “rhetoric” not roderick.
Thanks for pointing that out for me :)–
What’s wrong with roderick? It’s a neologism …
Mark ; If it’s legalized, – – – – (fill in the blanks) from the trailer park will be the ones profiting and benefiting the most ,as far as sales go. Able to beat the store prices,avoid the high taxes,and probably a better grade of weed too. From what I’m hearing,the “street vendors” are hoping and preying it becomes legal,the sooner the better.
Here ya go Low-Inyo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsAZC3uOKcs
Ricky from the trailer park says dont legalize it
Fear of Medical Marijuana Legalization is unfounded. Not based on any science or fact whatsoever.
So please, all prohibitionists, we beg you, give your scare tactics, “Conspiracy Theories” and “Doomsday Scenarios” over the inevitable Legalization of Medical Marijuana a rest. Nobody is buying them anymore these days. Okay?
Furthermore, if all prohibitionists get when they look into that nice, big and shiny crystal ball of theirs, while wondering about the future of Medical Marijuana Legalization Nationwide, is horror, doom, and despair, well then I suggest they return that thing as quickly as possible and reclaim the money they shelled out for it, since it’s obviously defective.
The prohibition of marijuana has not decreased the supply nor the demand for medical marijuana at all. Not one single iota, and it never will. Just a huge and complete waste of our tax dollars to continue criminalizing sick patients and senior citizens in pain for choosing a natural, non-toxic, relatively benign plant proven to be much safer than daily handfuls of deadly, toxic, man-made, highly addictive, narcotic pain pills and other pharmaceuticals.
If prohibitionists are going to take it upon themselves to worry about “saving us all” from ourselves, then they need to start with the drug that causes more death and destruction than every other drug in the world COMBINED, which is alcohol!
Why do prohibitionists feel the continued need to vilify and demonize marijuana when they could more wisely focus their efforts on a real, proven killer, alcohol, which again causes more destruction, violence, and death than all other drugs, COMBINED?
Prohibitionists really should get their priorities straight and or practice a little live and let live. They’ll live longer, happier, and healthier, with a lot less stress if they refrain from being bent on trying to control others through Draconian Marijuana Laws.
When a loved one is in pain, wasting away unable to eat, and needs this marvelous herb in order to increase their appetite, reduce the overwhelming pain, and live as as healthy and happily as they can with the time they have left, let’s have the compassion to allow them to have it.
Stop treating Medical Marijuana Patients like second rate citizens and common criminals by forcing them to the dangerous black market for their medicine.
Risking incarceration to obtain the medicine you need is no way to be forced to live.
Support Medical Marijuana Now!
“[A] federal policy that prohibits physicians from alleviating suffering by prescribing marijuana for seriously ill patients is misguided, heavy-handed, and inhumane.” — Dr. Jerome Kassirer, “Federal Foolishness and Marijuana,” editorial, New England Journal of Medicine, January 30, 1997
“[The AAFP accepts the use of medical marijuana] under medical supervision and control for specific medical indications.” — American Academy of Family Physicians, 1989, reaffirmed in 2001
“[We] recommend … allow[ing] [marijuana] prescription where medically appropriate.” — National Association for Public Health Policy, November 15, 1998
“Therefore be it resolved that the American Nurses Association will: — Support the right of patients to have safe access to therapeutic marijuana/cannabis under appropriate prescriber supervision.” — American Nurses Association, resolution, 2003
“The National Nurses Society on Addictions urges the federal government to remove marijuana from the Schedule I category immediately, and make it available for physicians to prescribe. NNSA urges the American Nurses’ Association and other health care professional organizations to support patient access to this medicine.” — National Nurses Society on Addictions, May 1, 1995
“[M]arijuana has an extremely wide acute margin of safety for use under medical supervision and cannot cause lethal reactions … [G]reater harm is caused by the legal consequences of its prohibition than possible risks of medicinal use.” — American Public Health Association, Resolution #9513, “Access to Therapeutic Marijuana/Cannabis,” 1995
“When appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for the health and well-being of our patients … We support state and federal legislation not only to remove criminal penalties associated with medical marijuana, but further to exclude marijuana/cannabis from classification as a Schedule I drug.” — American Academy of HIV Medicine, letter to New York Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, November 11, 2003
Ricky from the Trailer Park Boys doesn’t want it legalized because he sells pot & hash. He knows if it becomes legal, it will ruin his business of illegal sales. Just pointing that out because most don’t get the joke. Cartels & dealers don’t want it legal. They want to make the money that funds their organized crime, pays for guns, etc.. Cops don’t want it legal because they get huge amounts of funding to “fight it”. Just look at how much money they would lose in funding if it was legal. Not to mention users are probably the least violent offenders you will find. Prisons are for profit now, they would also loose out on the near 1 million people a year that do time because they had a small quantity of a plant in their possession. There are lots of people spreading misinformation. It’s easy to see why when you look at who makes money while it remains a crime.
Thanks CJ
Ricky also knows worst-case ontario, he gets caught.
Worst case ontario? What’s that?
CJ :..Not so fast.Let’s face the truth here.Most of those that grow for the dispensaries,they sell to more than just the dispensaries.Nothing to do with the big-city cartels.Those that have the hidden “gardens” on property have nothing to do with the cartels,especially when your talking about up here in our area.Now if your living in the inner-city rat-holes,where the cartels and gangs are involved,that’s another story…they WILL feel the hit if pot is legalized.. and when they do,they will find and OTHER crimes to do to buy their guns,etc….probably home invasions,burglaries,robberies and other violent things on victims Take my word on this one. Joe-blow here in Inyo and Mono Counties growing and selling quarters up to ounces,maybe even more to their friends and their friends and maybe to the dispensaries aren’t organized crime figures and bosses involved in the Mexican Mafia.Nice “drama” to think that way,but just not true.Speaking for myself,if I were a pot user,what would I do if marijuana were legalized ? Would I dress up all in green,put on some big,silly sunglasses,and go into a legal store to buy,pay a hefty price and big taxes along with it,then light up as I’m walking home to my parent’s house to invite some guy friends over and spend the day and night playing video games ?….or would I just keep buying from who I’ve been buying from,pay less for probably better stuff,with no fear what-so-ever of getting busted for doing so,then light up, walk home to my parent’s house, and invite some guy friends over and play video games all day and most of the night ? As far as the cops go,the system will still make their money,mostly just by the increased DWI arrests,just like what’s happening in Colorado right now,and on the increase in other crimes that legalization will bring about.The jails and prisons will still be full,legal marijuana or not.