Vote for legal pot
I haven't smoked marijuana in a long time. When someone passes me a pipe, I decline and say, I've already smoked my share. Even so, I support the legalization of pot.
I do enjoy a craft beer, a glass of wine, an occasional brandy, or my summertime gin and tonic. It's a good thing, most will agree, that I don't have to worry about being arrested for social drinking unless I endanger others by drinking too much and driving.
I'm a firm believer in "free will choice." Individuals are free to do what they please if they don't harm anyone else. We need laws to protect against harm to others. I don't claim any drug use is a wise choice, just one that should not be enforced by government but rather by family ethics and community education.
We, the people, are paying the cost of the "drug war," and it's a steep cost. Not only does the U.S. have more people in prison than any other, most for non-violent drug offenses, but our prohibition drives up the money available in drugs so that entire countries who supply our markets are ravaged by gangs and terrorists.
To bring this discussion back to Alaska and our upcoming election to decide if we should legalize marijuana use: Alaska already allows individuals to grow their own. It's a small step to allow those who don't grow to buy from those who do grow. Let's be real: Alaskans already do. It's not difficult to buy pot in this town or anywhere else in Alaska. Most pot consumed in this state is grown here. I see no reason for the federal government to regulate the use of a product that doesn't cross state lines.
My main reason to allow cannabis to grow in Alaska is that we could have a very successful commercial product in hemp. Hemp is the mild form of cannabis grown for fiber for paper, cloth and building materials, and seed for oil that can be used for food and fuel.
Do we want to protect our peaceable friends and neighbors from arrest and jail? Do we want a potential agricultural bonanza to be made possible? Use your good sense and vote yes to legalize marijuana on Ballot Measure 2. Yes on 2.
— Bumppo Bremicker
Homer
Pot is starter drug for addicts
I have never heard of a junkie starting his drug career mainlining heroin. Marijuana is kindergarten.
— Jose Polanco
Kodiak
All in the name
Many have pondered the erratic, bizarre and aggressive moves by Russia's leader against Ukraine.
Perhaps the first three letters of his name have not previously been revealed. We should not refer to him as "Putin," but rather as "Rasputin."
— Ken Smith
Anchorage
Sullivan has so much
I am seriously troubled by the fact that the "other" Dan Sullivan is campaigning to try and take away my union rights and my retirement benefits and my Social Security and my health benefits and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), when he has the best of four worlds: state benefits, federal benefits, military benefits, and free for life medical care for his wife and children.
Ah, how nice it is when we have so much, to try and take it away from the little people. Makes me so proud to be a veteran, colonel.
— Gerald Rexrode
Wasilla
Vote Smart website a winner
Monday morning I explored a new tool for voters. Alaskans need to know about this resource provided by Project Vote Smart, a nonpartisan group of students and volunteers from all over the country who have put together a massive factual database on politicians.
Their database "I Spy" is amazing and easy to use. Vote Smart gathers the voting records, biographies, public statements (issue or even key word searchable), issue positions, who gives candidates money, even the ratings done by over 200 competing special interests on every candidate and official.
You can get just the facts on Vote Smart's web site, votesmart.org, or even call them on their toll-free hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART and one of their researchers will look up anything you need to know.
We need informed voters – take a look at the website and start learning about our candidates.
— Deanne Adams
Chugiak
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email letters@adn.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.