There comes a time in all of our lives when we must act to preserve the best of what we have. Whether that be fighting to save historical buildings, open spaces or our small town way of life.
This November there will be such an opportunity for all of us to help preserve the community we know and love. The city where our schools win blue ribbons and commendations; the city where crime is at a minimum; the city where we have an annual Patriot’s Day Parade and almost half of the town is in it.
This November there will be a ballot measure which will creep into Laguna Beach and potentially create something that none of us thought could happen.
This November a medical marijuana dispensary initiative will make its way to the ballot. Not just one dispensary, but two. Possibly more. In Laguna Beach.
The pushers of this initiative will play the emotional hand and tell us that sick people need medical marijuana and how many of us are simply uneducated about the benefits of marijuana use and compare it to the same evils of alcohol consumption.
But don’t be fooled.
How many “clients,” “patients,” and casual purchasers will frequent these medical dispensaries for true medicinal use? Most of us know how easy it is to obtain a medical marijuana card, legitimate or not. Those who are ill and truly need the medicinal benefits offered by properties of marijuana already have access through prescribed drugs and delivery systems.
The realities of a marijuana dispensary are increased recreational drug use in the community by adults and minors; increased crime; affected neighboring businesses; and the decline of what Laguna Beach, a slice of small-town America, has been.
Allowing a marijuana dispensary in Laguna Beach will mark the pronounced decline of our way of life and will strip away the safe, small community we have been struggling to maintain.
Do not ignore this initiative. Now is the time to stand together and clearly act to ban any dispensaries in Laguna Beach. Preserve the beautiful place we call home and let’s defend the best of what we have.
Amy Kramer
Laguna Beach
