Marijuana: Vote threatens jobs in new industry

Here we go again.

On April 26, Pierce County tallies votes on an unnecessary special election. County Councilwoman Joyce McDonald and three others squandered hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. To their credit, council members Connie Ladenburg, Rick Talbert and Derek Young opposed her.

Four reasons this election is a tragic mistake:

▪  It threatens jobs for young people: Thirty-seven high-paying jobs are at risk at the upscale Gallery alone. Each of these jobs pays an average of $19 per hour, and the company matches 401(k) contributions up to 4 percent.

▪  Legal access to cannabis decreases opioid deaths. Washington state is dealing with an epidemic of heroin and opioid deaths. What a terrible time to focus on a therapeutic, flowering herb with zero recorded deaths, especially when legalization is sweeping the U.S.

▪  The election is costing an estimated $450,000. The voters spoke in 2012. Because of one woman’s personal crusade, the issue is on the ballot again. Lawsuits are already filed. Expenses are increasing rapidly. Tell me why again?

▪  Legalizing marijuana regulates it and brings in tax revenues: $193 million in excise taxes, $60 million in sales tax.

Vote “yes” on the advisory measure. And remember this when the general election comes around.

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Marijuana: Vote threatens jobs in new industry."