In the name of “compassion,” California lawmakers approved legislation permitting so-called “medical marijuana.” Some supporters of the law were no doubt well-intended people who never imagined what problems the legislation would create. That is to say, they didn’t focus much on the law’s unintended consequences — until it was too late.
For instance, residents of Los Angeles have suddenly looked around and discovered to their horror that the city has 1,000 “medical marijuana” dispensaries. More than 600 of those opened in the past 10 months alone despite a local ordinance that was supposed to clamp down on any new “clinics.”
Residents are alarmed to see the dispensaries cropping up near their homes and near parks, schools and other places where children gather. Many undoubtedly realize that the widespread, legal distribution of marijuana sends children the message that pot use is OK.
But one obvious question that the explosive growth of “pot shops” in Los Angeles raises is, are all their customers truly seeking marijuana to relieve serious medical conditions, or do many just want to “get high”? Critics note that some shops seek customers on the streets. Do you really believe that “customers” pulled in off the streets are legitimate “patients”?
Lawmakers in California or any state should consider the dangers before they legalize pot.