"Moms and Dads for Marijuana Regulation" Unveil Billboard in Support of Initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
"Moms and Dads for Marijuana Regulation" Unveil Billboard in Support of Initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
Group of parents announces new committee and unveils billboard featuring a father with his teen son, asking for marijuana sales to be regulated to "help him keep it out of his [son's] hands" – * PHOTO BELOW *
JUNE 28, 2012 – DENVER – A group of concerned parents, organized for the purpose of highlighting the benefits of regulating marijuana to keep it away from teens, has established a committee in support of the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol in Colorado, Amendment 64. At a news conference today, the group announced the formation of Moms and Dads for Marijuana Regulation and unveiled a billboard in support of the initiative. It is located just across from the Denver Broncos' stadium (1600 Federal Blvd.).
The billboard features a man embracing his teen son and stating: "Please, card my son. Regulate the sale of marijuana and help me keep it out of his hands."
Statement from Moms and Dads co-chair Georgia Edson, a Denver-based mother and Licensed Clinical Social Worker:
"Far too often, we hear opponents of reform using teens as a reason to maintain marijuana prohibition. They are simply playing on the fears of parents. The true dangers related to marijuana come from its illegal status.
"Like the father portrayed in the billboard, I would feel much more comfortable knowing that marijuana was being sold in regulated stores where sellers would be checking IDs.
Statement from Moms and Dads co-chair Dr. Erika Joye, a Denver-based mother and nationally certified school psychologist:
"Marijuana prohibition is the worst possible policy when it comes to keeping marijuana out of the hands of teens. If we do not regulate marijuana across the board, we are guaranteeing that sales will be entirely uncontrolled and that those selling it will not ask for ID. We are also forcing consumers into an underground market where they are likely to be exposed to other, more harmful products.
"Under Amendment 64, all marijuana sales will be conducted in a regulated market in which checks for proof of age are mandatory and strictly enforced, and consumers will not be exposed to more dangerous products. As a child and school psychologist – and as a mom – I feel that regulating marijuana like alcohol is critical to protecting the health and safety of Colorado teens."
Statement from Moms and Dads co-chair Jason Thomas, an Aurora-based father and former Colorado police officer:
"Marijuana prohibition relegates the growing and selling of marijuana to criminal enterprises, oftentimes including gangs and cartels. Amendment 64 will take the production and distribution of marijuana out of our neighborhoods and put it behind the counter of licensed businesses. There is a reason why we do not see alcohol being widely produced and sold out of homes in the suburbs – because it is regulated.
"Because marijuana is illegal, suppliers are unable to rely on law enforcement officials to step in when business-related disputes and incidents occur. All too often, this results in violence that affects not just marijuana dealers and consumers, but the broader communities surrounding them. By regulating marijuana like alcohol we can eliminate the violence and turf battles associated with the underground market."
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