To Better Protect Young People, We Need a New Approach to Marijuana
As teachers and school volunteers, we believe that marijuana isn’t a substance that should be used by young people. Yet, based on what we’ve seen in our schools, it’s clear that our current marijuana laws fail when it comes to protecting our students.
Right now, kids have an easier time getting marijuana than they should. In fact, current marijuana policy increases the risk to young people because black market sellers do nothing to avoid selling to youth.They don’t provide drug education and they don’t ask for ID.
We need to end the system that gives criminals and drug cartels control over whether and which kids have access to marijuana. We can take better care of our kids by passing Measure 91 which will strictly regulate and control marijuana.
Measure 91 also will provide desperately needed funding for proven drug education and prevention strategies for youth, along with treatment and support for those who need it. Right now, these programs are underfunded and not making it into classrooms and community centers where they are needed.
Taxes from marijuana will be put into a special account that, by law, is distributed as follows: 25% to fund drug prevention and treatment programs, 40% to Oregon’s public schools, and 35% to state and local police.
Voting Yes on 91 means:
- Better control of marijuana and drastically reducing the black market.
- Better, proven tools to keep kids away from marijuana.
- Better funding for prevention, treatment and schools.
- Regardless of how we feel about marijuana, we should all agree that it’s crucial to protect kids.
Bobbie Regan, school volunteer, Portland
Ginny Markell, retired high school teacher, North Clackamas
Elizabeth Kaufman, former high school teacher, Clackamas County
Mike Schwab, afterschool program leader, Eugene
Christopher D. Hebbe, paraeducator, Portland
Timothy Rake, retired 4J teacher, Eugene