In response to Monica Rosenthal”s letter, I hope we can find common ground to help solve the marijuana issue in Lake County. For nearly a dozen years we had the next door neighbors-from-hell. There was constant traffic to and from the house, unsavory looking people showing up at all hours, vicious dogs and loud music. As such, we can appreciate the downside of the drug scene. Believe me, it was awful. I would not wish such a situation for any law abiding citizen who is merely trying to have a normal life.
However, I must point out a factual error in Monica”s piece: 12 gallons of water per plant per day is not accurate. In fact it isn”t even close. Perhaps the decimal point was misplaced. Both hemp and marijuana will grow with very little water. The cannabis family of plants are not only misers in regard to water, but they also are nitrogen fixing plants that will improve poor soil. This is an enormous, potential opportunity for Lake County to grow industrial marijuana (hemp). It has no value as a drug but does have phenomenal properties for fabric, paper, construction materials, food, fuel, oil and plastics. Several states have legalized the industrial use of hemp. We send over a billion dollars a year to Canada for hemp products.
As to ruining tourism, really? Colorado would laugh at that notion! Actually, smoking cannabis and drinking wine is considered to be one of the most pleasant experiences available to humankind.
But I digress. The problem, locally, are the funky neighbors. As to the odor, I would posit that as many people who find it unpleasant, there are an equal amount, if not more, who find it non-offensive and an indication of the changing season. There are those who find rotting grape odor offensive. Wild Lilac has an odor which some find to be unpleasant. Domestic lilac can be overpowering. I can agree that a large number of plants grown in town is not necessary, or even a good idea. Safe neighborhoods already exist in Lake county. Many who don”t feel safe are paranoid. If there are problems with safety, there are ample laws on the books to address such issues that affect domestic tranquility.
Now that the consciousness about the cannabis is finally changing from the wholly inaccurate “Reefer Madness” mentality to one of science, the truth is emerging. Marijuana is not a narcotic. It was mislabeled by the Feds to enhance the drug war. It is a mild psychedelic, non addictive herb. Aside from the sketchy neighbors, those who see it as a huge problem are misinformed. This is not to say that we want our children high on pot. There are limits and they need to be understood and encouraged primarily by parents, not the police.
The only real problem with marijuana is (as usual) money. As long as it remains illegal, there will be illegal grows and problem neighbors. Until the money is taken out of the equation, just like politics, there will be people exploiting the situation. Meanwhile , reasonable, innocent people who contribute to our community will be criminalized.
Eric Striedieck, Middletown
