Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
Do you favor or not, the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?
Here’s what you said:
It's smells! I'm tired of being around people who ALREADY use it & perpetually smell like skunks. I have to close my windows on beautiful days because of potheads who rent next to me. It's frustrating.
That said I'm more concerned with those that will drive under the influence as well as expose very young children, in cars, in homes. It's just another phase of a declining society...very sad.
M. K., Arnold
No
Gail Lundberg, St. Michael’s
Legalize it!
Mary Sobray, Annapolis
It's fine to legalize, I think it will stop criminalizing people. No one gets punished for drinking - no difference.
Cornelia C. Heckenbach, St Michaels
Solidly in favor!
W. Douglas Frank, Annapolis
I believe that marijuana could be legalized primarily for medical reasons and for private in-home use, but not openly, e.g., in the streets or public venues. It must be kept away from people under 18, unless prescribed for medical needs, and particularly kept out of food that unsuspecting people might consume. Marijuana has become increasingly potent and, therefore, more dangerous than ever for many who accidentally breathe it, much less eat a marijuana brownie. Colorado is a good example of the problems that totally legal widespread use of marijuana can create.
Carol Moyer, Riva
I'm definitely in favor. I used marijuana to control nerve pain -- edibles. Where marijuana is legal, the product selection is better than is currently the case in Maryland, and the prices are better.
And if you want it just for fun, I'm all for that, too.
Marc Knapp, Annapolis
As an infamous American politician once said:
At this point what difference does it make?
The 'clinical legalization' has turned into a 'taxation bonus'...and many 'recreational users' obtain their marijuana thru relationships with medicinal marijuana holders.
Why not increase the pool of legalization to a much greater population availability, therefore increasing the TAX BASE which is being eroded by direct internet selling.
Gerard Hall, Annapolis
Not for it at all.
Cindy Trozze, Annapolis
Legalize it!
Sue Russell, Annapolis
Yes I think we should do this. Why let the cartels make money on this, better to be able to tax it and monitor it.
Rita Siprak-Weill, Annapolis
We don't need more drivers who are impaired.
Milly B Welsh, Davidsonville
