Vote ‘no’ on Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana

Election Day offers an ironic choice. Proposition 56 raises the tax on cigarettes to make people quit smoking cigarettes. Over several decades, this “no smoking” campaign has decreased the smokers in California and prohibited smoking in public places to eliminate second-hand smoke from impacting others — all to improve our health.

Conversely, Proposition 64 is on the ballot to legalize “recreational” use of marijuana. The proponents want people to get high and pollute the environment with smoke and offensive odors that damage public health. Legalizing another drug will increase California’s traffic accident rate causing more injuries and fatalities. Since legalization, Washington state has seen deaths double in marijuana-related traffic accidents.

The common denominator between these two propositions is the almighty dollar. Government officials are gleefully planning to spend the taxpayer money coming from the taxes on these propositions. Unfortunately, the marijuana proposition will also enrich the growers and providers while it “dumbs down” the user and abuser. In either case, illegal underground marijuana operations will continue to thrive while avoiding taxes and distributing its harmful product to our misguided youth.

Save California from pollution and roadway devastation — vote “no” on Prop. 64!

This story was originally published November 5, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Vote ‘no’ on Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana."