LETTER: Mat-Su Valley should embrace marijuana

To the editor:

Next Tuesday we face an important vote on legalizing marijuana businesses here in the Valley……Proposition B-1.. I believe allowing cannabis businesses here can have a positive effect in our community.

As a physician I have studied the medical benefits of marijuana. It has been shown to be helpful in many illnesses…….war veterans’ PTSD (many live here in the Valley), childhood seizures, psychosis, brain cancer, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder), addiction, epilepsy, pain management, depression and many other illnesses. There has also never been a death due to marijuana use.

Many of you may be concerned if marijuana businesses are allowed in the Boro - particularly the effect on our young people. Recent studies in Texas have shown that changes in state and local marijuana laws are NOT associated with greater use or acceptance by young people. If you think your junior or senior high school student doesn’t already have access to marijuana, think again. If they make the decision to use it they already know exactly where they can get it. Only responsible adults should be able to access and use marijuana, since teenagers (especially the 13-16 y/o group) are in a key developmental period and need that time to develop their hopes and dreams....and make time for their sports and music and hobbies and school studies.

Lastly, let’s talk about what may be the most important thing..... MONEY. If marijuana businesses are allowed in the Valley they will bring in tens of thousands of new dollars. Everyone will benefit. With state regulation will come not only guarantee of proper taxation (and revenue money coming into our community) but also quality of product. Each of you either runs a business or works for one that could benefit from this new influx of dollars. Yes, our annual PFDs (now cut back) and no state taxes are nice but the state is running out of money. North Slope oil flows are down to only 15-20% of what they were 30 years ago. Last year Colorado had over $2 BILLION in marijuana sales, with $135 million in tax revenue to the state. Washington got $70 million and Oregon $42 million. These numbers increase each year.

The mayor of Houston (Alaska) has already approved and welcomed new marijuana businesses in his locality. Let’s be realistic and know that this is a change coming across the nation....and not be the last to benefit from its remarkable economic and health benefits. Marijuana has been legalized in 24 states…including Washington DC. If you oppose this on “moral” grounds then be honest with yourself and know that alcohol causes far more damage in our community than marijuana ever has.

Please vote “No” on next Tuesday’s Prop 1 measure. This will end the current prohibition of cannabis businesses in the Valley.

— D.Lynn Mickleson, MD

Palmer