Concerns about changes to marijuana measure

I am finding it increasingly difficult to have faith that our politicians will respect the will of the people with regards to the proper execution of Question 4.

In the beginning, I certainly had a significant swell of optimism: Dec. 15 came and went with a proper certification of the vote, and no attempts to undo home-grow provisions were made. This was most assuredly a step in the right direction.

I was also pleased at how even-headed and respectful the representatives I’ve reached out to have been, up to this point.

However, I am extremely dismayed at the suggestion that Senator Stan Rosenberg made to impose an age limit of 25 for the consumption of cannabis, without a parallel change to alcohol or tobacco consumption. If he is being fair and honest about his desire to “protect young adults with developing brains,” then he would call for changing the law across the board; there are plenty of studies showing alcohol has many negative effects on developing brains. There should be no special treatment for the alcohol industry.

And now we have a dead-of-the-night vote in the Legislature, creating a six-month delay in implementation of key parts of the law; the pro-legalization side was barely given any notice before the vote was taken, and this is all despite the success that Colorado has had implementing legalization in a 12- to 13-month timeline.

One can’t help but wonder if this is the beginning of an avalanche of attempted changes, made before the law even has had a fair chance to work.

It’s tempting to behave as if the bulk of the hard work was done when Question 4 passed, but citizen activism never ends, no matter what the issue at hand is. I encourage all citizens of the commonwealth to get involved and engaged; it’s the only way anything will ever change for the better.

Joshua Mintzer

Easthampton

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