Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon has struck a pre-emptive blow against a movement to put legalization of recreational marijuana on the 2016 ballot.
“We’ve stayed silent and perhaps lost the public’s perception because only one side has been speaking out,” Carlyon said during a presentation seeking an official county resolution opposing legalization of marijuana for recreational uses.
The board unanimously approved the resolution.
Carlyon explained that in the last attempt to legalize marijuana, Navajo County voted against the measure at a rate of two to one, but statewide the difference was much smaller. He noted that there has been a shift in public perception of marijuana, and it is no longer seen as dangerous or addictive.
“We need to educate the public on the risks,” he said. “Because medical marijuana is now in the state, the perceived risk has decreased. The number of children using marijuana is increasing. One in five high school seniors are regular users.”
According to Carlyon, the number of students using marijuana is higher than the number using tobacco, and he believes that it is in part due to changes in public perception. He noted that proponents of legalization often state that marijuana is harmless, or no more dangerous than alcohol, but science shows that there are serious long-term effects from regular use.
He told the board that in Colorado, where recreational marijuana has been legalized, products are often geared toward young children, hospitalization and auto accident rates are rising, and the cost to the state is greater than the benefit. He noted that in the cases of alcohol and tobacco, both of which are heavily taxed, the government spends $10 for every $1 generated in revenue. In Colorado’s case, taxes on marijuana are expected to generate approximately $98 million, and the state is expected to spend $99 million on abuse prevention, public safety and health care related to marijuana use.
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Molesa told the board that he did not yet have access to the results of the youth alcohol and drug use survey for the county, but was advised that “the results are staggering for Navajo County.” According to Molesa, 10 percent of youth using marijuana obtain it from medical marijuana cardholders and hospital admissions related to use are higher than for any other illegal drug.
“Admissions have seen a 21 percent increase over the period between 2000 and 2010,” he said. “That’s only behind alcohol, and above heroine.”
Carlyon explained that Navajo County criminal justice officials plan to continue educating the public regarding the dangers of marijuana in preparation for the 2016 election. He noted that legalization advocates are already beginning to campaign to create a public perception that marijuana is harmless. He hopes to remind the public of the dangers of the drug and help defeat the anticipated ballot measure.
