As a leader in the faith community and as a minister, I’m commanded to teach and work for peace. In turn, I guide others to support humane public policies because that is what my faith instructs me to do.
Our current harsh marijuana laws are NOT the right thing to do. The FBI Uniform Crime Statistics estimate that fully 7% of arrests in Oregon each year are for simple marijuana possession. Beyond the fact that it isn’t a good use of police resources, I see the human cost of that policy. It can ruin people’s lives by giving them a criminal record that stays with them when trying to get a job, housing or a loan. And today’s laws aren’t preventing young people from getting marijuana.
The 12,000 annual marijuana arrests and citations in Oregon are not just numbers, they are people. There are very few of us who do not know somebody who uses marijuana, or has used it for some purpose. For adults, that is their choice to make. And if we want to protect young people from marijuana, Measure 91 offers a smarter and more effective way to do it.
Marijuana is here, and it’s not going away. A better system would allow responsible adults to use it sensibly without penalty. A better system will strictly regulate marijuana to protect young people and the vulnerable. A better system would redirect police time and money to address more violent crime, including taking on the drug cartels currently in the marijuana business. A better system will tax marijuana and use the funds for drug education and prevention programs.
As a person of faith, I’m voting Yes for Measure 91 because it’s the right thing to do. For our communities, for our families, and for our humanity.
This information furnished by Rev. Dave Bean.