Pot dilemma: Those who think decision is without consequences are wrong

It has been official for a little while now -- it is legal to smoke marijuana in Colorado.

There have been plenty of arguments for and against the decision. But there also have been more than a few people sending out warnings about potential impacts in a variety of areas, including on children.

And the answer is always the same: This is a victimless crime that takes huge resources to house and to prosecute those arrested for dealing and using. Take away the penalties and things will settle down and the use will be recreational, like alcohol.

Truth be told, that is the worst argument really -- look at what havoc alcohol misuse has caused in this country. Do we really need something else?

But that is only part of the story.

Adults should have the freedom to make the decision on what they do with their bodies, but the reality is, drug use of any kind, sometimes including alcohol, is not a victimless crime.

The use of marijuana among teens is much more prevalent than people think. And they do not consider it a gateway drug -- even though doctors are warning that it absolutely is, and that it can have detrimental effects on those who make it a habit.

So what happens in Colorado? Accepting pot -- like we accept alcohol -- opens up a new avenue for abuse and makes access easier for those who might be legally prohibited from using the drug, but can now get it in a storefront.

And what about the regulation of use? How is a police officer supposed to prove someone is impaired? What are the safeguards to make sure people understand the limits? And what do we do when it becomes a real issue and people start to get hurt?

There will be more debate on this issue, but it is shocking how many people seem to have tossed aside legitimate concerns in favor of some misguided vision of progress.

Allow access to medical marijuana for patients who need it. Absolutely.

But beware of tossing out rules that might have been put in place long ago that might have some relevance today, even if it is just to set a few standards for acceptable behavior. It is OK to have some limits.

Will the state of Colorado regret passing its marijuana law? We will see.

But before there is another vote, it is an issue that needs to be studied hard and with an eye to not only immediate effects, but long-term ones as well.

Published in Editorials on February 18, 2014 10:41 AM