Marijuana legalization: Anti-arguments unconvincing: McFadyen

Rob McFadyen | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption NJ marijuana legalization: Here is where you would be able to smoke If marijuana is legalized in New Jersey, this is where you would be permitted to smoke it.

APP Editorial Page Editor Randy Bergmann's July 8 oped "Legal pot effort going to seed?" is continuing what has been popular in the New Jersey media recently: to keep recreational marijuana use illegal. His arguments fall short of justifying the continued prohibition of pot. He claims five reasons. His reason is listed first, then my rebuttal:

1. "[Marijuana] would send a mixed message to youth about drug use."

The media attention is what is putting marijuana in the youth's mind. The media is creating a frenzy of "what is this all about" among youth. Make it legal already, and only sell to 21 and older (like alcohol).

2. "Contrary to what the pro-pot forces say, marijuana can be addictive."

People who are in need of mental help will resort to any means to dull their pain. They will resort to all sorts of means (drugs, cutting, violence, crime) until they receive, and follow, treatment. Addiction is a mental health issue. Marijuana does not create addiction.

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3. "Marijuana was involved in 51 fatal crashes in Colorado [up from 19 in 2015]."

What does that mean "involved"? If a sober driver kills a driver that tested positive for marijuana, does that count? I think he was purposely ambiguous not to say "responsible for" because it is not justified.

4. "There is no reliable way to test for THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana." Again, the context is missing. I can fail a drug test for the presence of THC. Or does Bergmann mean the content within a product you purchase at a dispensary? Or does he mean drug testing cannot ascertain when someone last ingested THC (could be positive if smoked last night, or last week)? The point is unclear.

5. "...California Highway Patrol reported 886 drugged driving arrests, more than double the number during the same period last year." Where is the specificity! Drugged could be ANY drug, including prescribed medication. Another weak point.

5a? "In Colorado, out-of-state visitors accounted for 44 percent of retail marijuana sales and 90 percent of sales in popular mountain communities in 2014."

As more states adopt legislation legalizing recreational use, "green tourism" will cease to be a draw. Besides, who do you think buys more ski jackets in Aspen? Tourists or locals? Tourists, by a long shot. Any current tourist area in New Jersey would similarly see an unbalanced tourist-to-local sales ratio. Marijuana smoking is very common; few places offer recreational use. It's illegality, until recently in a handful of states, gives the impression that Americans just picked up marijuana use. On the contrary, it's widespread and has been happening all along.

5b? "In California, illegal pot dispensaries outnumber legal ones..." In New Jersey a recreational user can only go to an illegal dispensary (dealer) for recreational use. We need to open legal dispensaries and stop recreational users from having to resort to being involved in a crime!

My greatest beef with Bergmann's oped is his use of the term "stoner" to identify a recreational user. The Press has announced with praise another brewery (alcohol) opening at times. Why not announce "another magnet for drunks"? Because people can enjoy alcohol responsibly. Recreational marijuana users deserve the same respect. Support legalization. End marijuana prohibition.

Rob McFadyen lives in Toms River.