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"The Netherlands' drug policy is one of the most nonpunitive in Europe. For more than twenty years, <br /> Dutch citizens over age eighteen have been permitted to buy and use cannabis (marijuana and hashish) <br /> in government-regulated coffee shops. This policy has not resulted in dramatically escalating marijuana <br /> use. For most age groups, rates of marijuana use in the Netherlands are similar to those in the United <br /> States. However, for young adolescents, rates of marijuana use are lower in the Netherlands than in the <br /> United States." <br /> See more at:http://www.drunpolicy.o[g/drug-facts/10-facts-about-marijuana#sthash.XnDIXOJT.dpuf <br /> In the USA, states with the most permissive laws regarding marijuana such as Washington, Colorado, <br /> California and Oregon have not experienced any significant trends in use or abuse that are inconsistent <br /> with more punitive states. <br /> Conclusion <br /> Although there is a passionate desire from a few people in Kittitas County to ban marijuana, 1-502 and <br /> anyone who thinks different, this position is not supported by any clear majority or reason. Ironically, <br /> some of the no on 502 voters are actually marijuana users engaged in black or grey market opportunities <br /> or users that don't want to be taxed. <br /> With more information, much of the anti 1-502 sentiment would dissipate with the understanding that 1-502 <br /> represents the best approach to deal with a very complicated issue. This is an issue that needs careful <br /> consideration rather than an emotional reaction. Part of the problem with some people's negative attitude <br /> is the mistaken assumption that without 1-502 coming to town, there is no marijuana—those with any <br /> amount of exposure to marijuana culture know this is certainly not the case. <br /> Despite all reasoned arguments that favor a regulated system, it is sometimes offered that legalization <br /> does have merit, but it can't precede because of a message it sends to the youth that marijuana use is <br /> ok. What is missed again is that young people are generally smarter than what they get credit for and the <br /> real message of a ban on 1-502 would be that Kittitas County is out of touch with its people, the state and <br /> the rest of the country <br /> Thank you for your kind consideration, <br /> Mike Graham <br /> Natural Mystic Farms <br /> 5810 Naneum Rd., Ellensburg, WA <br />