Alaska Marijuana News

Fairbanks residents debate legal pot sales in last of initiative hearings

FAIRBANKS — More than 50 people attended the eighth and final hearing conducted by Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell on the marijuana initiative Tuesday, with a couple of dozen people arguing that legalizing marijuana is either a sensible action and a matter of personal choice or a grave threat to children that opens the door to addiction and wasted lives.

While the hearing was a largely sedate affair, there was scattered applause on both sides for many of those who testified and a couple of catcalls. Treadwell thanked the audience for being respectful and said it wasn't close to what one reporter dubbed the Jerry Springer atmosphere that arose at the more contentious hearings.

The key arguments by those favoring the ballot measure are that the drug is safe, regulation will protect kids because drug dealers don't ask for ID, and adults can make decisions for themselves. On the other side, there were numerous statements that the drug is dangerous, legalization will make the substance abuse problem worse, and that young children will find it easier to get pot.

Kathleen "Mike" Dalton testified that for her grandson, Joseph, marijuana was a dangerous gateway drug. He started smoking it in middle school and his drug problems accelerated in high school.

"To hear people say marijuana is a harmless drug is not true," she said. Dalton said that Wednesday would have been his 34th birthday. "I was grateful to have him for 32 years. He's been gone for two years."

Brenda Sadler, a retired teacher and longtime volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the initiative leaves the question of regulation up to state officials, with specifics yet to be determined, and that worries her. She said that in the two states that have already taken this step, Colorado and Washington, there are edible products being sold "dressed in kid-friendly and naturally appealing wrappers."

Frank Berardi, chairman of the Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Legislation, said there are all kinds of candies sold in liquor stores that include alcohol in appealing wrappers.

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"The reason why you don't see a controversy surrounding them, a more dangerous drug, is because it's sold behind a counter where people have to show ID. And people are expecting responsible parents to keep their kids from getting ahold of alcohol, not law enforcement to arrest them for simply possessing it," he said.

Peter LoMonaco, who said he had his first hit of marijuana at age 12, also said parental controls are the key to protecting kids. He said there are healthy ways for adults to use marijuana and advertising can be banned. "Don't differentiate your alcohol vs. my marijuana," he said.

Christine Higgins said the government spends millions on programs to encourage people to quit smoking and to warn of the dangers of alcohol abuse. She said legalizing the drug would communicate a message of confusion.

"While the loudest voices in our community might try to rationalize the legalization of marijuana, the innocent voices should not be forced to cope with its negative effects," Higgins said.

Beth Hughes said the measure gives Alaskans a chance to "make the most responsible and logical regulations on marijuana." She and others argued that by controlling the sale of cigarettes and alcohol, children's access to those drugs is limited. The same can be done with marijuana.

"We have also made strict policies for the sale to minors with strict consequences," she said. Hughes, a mother of four, said that minors probably have more access to marijuana now than they would in Washington because of legalization and controls.

Kelly Drew, a university professor and researcher, said she supports the proposition because it presents an opportunity to establish regulations that would limit the public health risk and get it out of the black market. She said she believes the drug presents less risk than alcohol and that proper safeguards are needed.

While some proponents of the measure said that marijuana is a safe drug, critics said that is not the case and it can lead to brain damage and serious emotional problems.

"Getting into drugs, marijuana particularly, at a very young age does cause permanent, irreversible brain damage," said Cam Carlson. She said that if the energy that has gone into legalizing pot would be directed toward something beneficial, our society would be much better off.

Sue Hull, a member of the Fairbanks school board and the state board of education, said she has no doubt that legalizing marijuana would harm children. She said that twice a month the local board has disciplinary hearings and sees how academic performance is hindered by drug abuse.

"We have a responsibility as adults to be aware that this could have a negative impact," she said.

Charlene Egbe, the 26-year-old former KTVA reporter who quit on-air last week and gained international attention, said everyone agrees that kids should not use pot. She said she is a recovering alcoholic who quit drinking five years ago. She said she started smoking marijuana then and "I haven't looked back since."

A cameraman who said he was from French television attended the meeting, mainly because of Egbe, and asked various members of the audience about their opinions and what they thought of her.

Dermot Cole

Former ADN columnist Dermot Cole is a longtime reporter, editor and author.

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