Just say no to legal marijuana
This November, Alaskans will decide whether to legalize the commercialization and industrialization of marijuana and its derivative drugs. If Ballot Measure 2 passes — as similar initiatives did in Colorado and Washington — it means that we will see retail shops in Anchorage and around the state legally selling child-friendly edibles, like drug infused candy bars and lollipops, as well as drugs like butane hash oil, wax, dab and shatter. If these names don't mean anything to you please Google them and get informed before inviting them into our community.
This ballot measure is being touted as progressive. That is not the case. Instead, if these dangerous drug products are legalized, they will likely bring a brand new set of substance use/abuse problems to Alaska communities both large and small. As the negative and positive impacts of legalization in Colorado and Washington are still largely unknown (but appear mostly to be negative), I believe it is far more prudent that Alaskans wait to see how this social experiment plays out in those states before we adopt such a measure here. And there is little harm in our waiting, since we do not have an incarceration problem (for marijuana use) in Alaska and we have the Alaska Supreme Court's Ravin decision on personal use as well as a medical marijuana law.
With that in mind, I am asking that you please vote no on 2. Let's be patient and prudent while we watch and learn how this experiment unfolds in Colorado and Washington before we make such a momentous and difficult-to-undo decision here in Alaska.
— John Niles Wanamaker
Anchorage
Skipping debates is arrogant
How can a candidate say he is an Alaskan and wants to support Alaskans when he won't even meet with Alaskans to debate/discuss the bread and butter issues that affect them every working day? Did Dan Sullivan decide to attend the fishing debate only after he got widespread criticism? Did he have to be told just how important the fishing industry is to Alaska? From the get-go this debate should have been a priority, not an afterthought. Whether it's Dan Sullivan or Don Young or Gov. Sean Parnell, skipping debates is an arrogant affront to our election process in the state and a slap in the face to voters. Do they think they can buy our votes and trust without explaining their positions, without listening to Alaskans' concerns for today and the future?
Mark Begich is an Alaskan who has worked tirelessly for Alaska: getting more drilling in the Arctic, sustaining fisheries, assuring Alaska's key role in the defense of America. He crisscrosses the state to learn what Alaskans need and want. He knows there's always more that can be done, and he's ready to do it.
— Ann Stephenson
Sitka
Begich is the problem, not the solution
Mark Begich is a smooth talker who steals your wallet and then invites you to an expensive lunch with his friends. Seemingly gracious, but you're a chump if you can't figure out who is really paying the bill.
As mayor, Begich increased our property taxes at triple the rate of inflation, sending taxes surging over 50 percent. Everyone, including renters, paid the bill. Playing favorites, he bought votes with our hard-earned money. And even after the massive tax increases he still created an embarrassing shortfall that we didn't find out about until after had packed for D.C.
Begich left us in the red when he moved to the Senate but it didn't stop there. Sen. Begich votes with Obama and Harry Reid 97 percent of the time. The result? Our medical insurance premiums skyrocket and we can't keep our doctor; the country is bankrupt; bureaucrats buzz everywhere like mosquitoes; and the inflation adjusted median family income has dropped nearly 10 percent. Fewer people are working, and almost all of us are worse off than when he started. Mark Begich is not the solution, he is the problem. It's time for him to go.
— Boyd Morgenthaler
Anchorage
Letter writer oversimplifies pot debate
Couldn't help myself but to respond to Jose Polanco's letter (Sept. 16). I've never known any addict that didn't start with alcohol! So is alcohol pre-school? Drug addiction is far more complex than "I started with ..."
For that matter, it is a far more empirically provable statement that if you drink water you will die.
— Martin L. Meigs
Anchorage
Airport sleeping pods are not lodging
Installing sleeping pods at the Anchorage airport would be, in my opinion, the best airport improvement since adding the Silver Gulch Brewery outlet to concourse C. It is unfortunate that "lodging" doesn't pass IRS regulation muster.
From your article, it looks like it is merely a matter of semantics to be overcome: If the IRS objects to lodging facilities, simply rename them. They could be called "meditation," "exercise" or even "redeye" pods. To assure compliance, simply post appropriate signage such as: LODGING EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED — Violators will be awakened.
This deserves a relook by airport officials. Surely the IRS has more pressing issues than this.
— Thomas Petersen
Anchorage
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.