Even as Lakewood’s former Deputy Mayor John Arbeeny prepares the opposed-to-marijuana side of the debate against Cynthia Macklin, pro-marijuana Lakewood resident and her husband Ed Tuck, III – the show-down to be sponsored by Lakewood United at Burs Restaurant, Feb. 22, 7-8 A.M. – Lakewood Police bust “a very professional operation” of a marijuana grow, packaging and distribution center conducted in a local Lakewood residence.
February 14, as lovers were celebrating Valentine’s Day, the Lakewood Police Department was celebrating the confiscation of 49 pounds of marijuana, and 500-plus plants with a street value of $730,000.
Where was all that green going? Especially given some of the marijuana had been “already packaged into vacuum-packed 1-pound bricks,” according to Tacoma News Tribune reporter Kenny Ocker.
Chances are, out of state, to Idaho where “state police in 2017 confiscated nearly three times as much pot during traffic stops as in 2016.”
According to a February 15 article by Seattle Times reporter Evan Bush, the system designed to track pot may have lost track (hacked) of where pot goes, Gov. Inslee’s protestations to the contrary.
With a glut of the green on the market forcing prices down and competition up affecting the top priority of cash flow which is every legal – and non-legal – entity’s bottom line; coupled with the tracking system not efficiently tracking, where to turn for desperate marijuana marketers but to fudge their numbers – for those actually reporting – while “slipping product into the black market”?
So much for the assertion by marijuana proponents and prognosticators that legalized pot would do away with illegal pot!
And though “scientists agree that marijuana is a dangerous drug, and no major national medical organization advocates legalization,” Lakewood could decide otherwise which suggests other pot-promo-projects in addition to the ignoble fir replacement that could then be lit-up next December.
Cannabis calendars with the City logo (and leaf) for example; stoner survival kits included in the City’s Emergency Response Team – CERT – disaster preparedness training kits: marijuana, weed, and cannabis, the essentials; Stoner Smoke and Sketch cannabis coloring books for the kiddo’s, something for everyone in the family!
Even Marijuana Banners for the light poles – opposite the $50,000 “Lakewood is a healthy vibrant community” banners (p.041) and potted plants (flowers we think) – as part of the city’s “beautification to foster a welcoming and positive first impression for residents and visitors in Lakewood” (p.040).
Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells:
‘Can-na-bis, Can-na-bis, Cannabis every day,
Oh, what fun to drive I-5,
In a Cannabis in-flu-enced way, hey!
Can-na-bis, . . .’
Seriously, and not surprisingly, “since pot legalization, driving under influence has steadily risen,” according to Washington State officials.
In a January 16, 2018 Tacoma News Tribune article by Tatevik Aprikyan, “statistics show you are twice as likely to kill yourself or someone else while under influence of marijuana,” said WSP Trooper Brooke Bova.
Will all of this: Cannabis Christmas tree; Cannabis Christmas carol; Cannabis Calendars, banners, et al be coming to a city near you?
It’s a possibility should the Lakewood City Council choose to ignore (a) the opinion of the Clover Park School District Board (CPSD); (b) the position of the Federal Government; (c) the decision of five-out-of-six jurisdictions state-wide which were given an advisory vote opportunity to reject outright pot proponents’ pleas to set up shop; and (d) the hundreds of signatures opposing marijuana retail in the City received by the Lakewood Planning Commission.
At the joint (not a marijuana reference) meeting of the Lakewood City Council and Clover Park School District Board this past January 22, CPSD Board President Marty Schafer said, in opposition to retail marijuana being allowed to operate in the city, “We do not see the drug as a benefit to students or increasing their ability to succeed in schools or the community” (p.014).
Good for them. In fact, “teenagers who smoke cannabis damage their brains for life,” headlined the article by Ellie Zolfagharifard citing studies in the U.S.
But with cities in Washington – like Lakewood potentially – permitting, and de facto promoting, local marijuana retail outlets, the message to “kids aged 12-17 (is) increasingly that marijuana use is not harmful.”
Will Lakewood’s City Council “pretend that a duly enacted law of this country – like the federal ban on marijuana – does not exist”?
Will Lakewood’s City Council jeopardize its relationship with the Clover Park School District Board which has already taken the leadership role, modeling what it means to lead on matters of great moment, setting the example to, and on behalf of, the youth of the city?
Will Lakewood’s City Council, either on its own or offering the option to the electorate, decide as Federal Way, and Snohomish, and Bonney Lake, and Yakima County to repulse the marijuana industry invaders?
Or will we mark our official Lakewood Cannabis Calendar so as to be sure not to miss next December’s singing of Cannabis Christmas Carols around the Cannabis Christmas Tree?
More to come, first the upcoming debate February 22, and then in late March an update from the Planning Commission as it continues “to ask for additional information, a buffer analysis and different examples from other cities” (p.012).
Picture Source: “Pot publications have noticed that Walmart this year (2017) is selling a ‘Weed Christmas Tree’ – a 7-foot Tannenbaum made of faux marijuana leaves” – The Kansas City Star.
You’re grasping at every string because you have a terribly weak arguments against cannabis.
None of those things are worth keeping cannabis illegal for. People use it just as much anyway and ALL the money then goes to the black market. If you think it magically will go away without pot shops, you’re ignorant.
“Grasping at straws” is the term Steve not “grasping at every string”. If you think every argument against pot is weak how about attending the Lakewood United debate on Thursday morning. You’ll get an education. But if you’re a stoner, no argument will trump your need to get and stay stoned.
No better time for a working-class town to have public meetings than on Thursday mornings… I’ll be at work with the rest of the gainfully employed.
You resorted to poking fun at my diction because you have no logical basis for prohibition. Have fun at your puppet meeting passing regulations that people in the real world will continue to ignore.
Steve, you’re obviously very passionate about the availability and usage of marijuana. Do you use cocaine and/or heroin too? Would you endorse their legalization?
Steve,
I have a helpful idea for you. Tell your boss at your gainful employment location that you smoke marijuana and would like to attend the Lakewood United Dope Debate.
If you are a valuable employee, it is possible your boss will give you permission to miss 1 or 2 hours of gainful employment in order to support your effort to promote your personal dope smoking habit.
Another idea might be to take an hour or two of vacation from your gainful employment.
The meeting is typically over by 8:00a. You can than shoot off to work. When I say shoot off to work, I am not suggesting you shoot heroin.
Joseph Boyle –
John, is there a way for you to get a professional Doctor to be present at that meeting and have him or her give the pro and cons about marijuana? Believe me, there is more con than pro in what science knows today.
Also, if Lakewood gets pot shops, the Lakewood Police should have test kits to draw blood during speeding, car crashes, vagrants, and the like.
Another con is when most people smoke pot, not only do they get munchies, but they reach for alcohol, not milk or water. So you have a double whammy AND who wants to stay at home while your feeling high, lets go out and party! The scenario is there and don’t think it doesn’t happen. We have enough drunks driving around already.
I could go on and on. Use to be a so called hippy in the 70’s and 80’s. Been there, done that. Looking back, sure I had a fun time, but I was also stupid.
Good luck John in putting out the message. There is more Lakewood people on your side than you think!!!
Ok. Had enough and yes I could have scrolled past but you grown men could find something else to argue about. REALLY. Not on this platform Smoking-bosses-jobs-Christmas WOW
I don’t smoke never have but I support. ITS HERE ANYWAY. Let’s get some money for it, legally! There has already been way to much of that spent on keeping it out. Now let’s see what kind of backlash I get!
Bring it on
Sharon,
It seems to me we men are debating and voicing strong opinions, rather than arguing. It is a part of free speech. Some citizens are for dope and some citizens are against dope. Each side wishes to influence the City of Lakewood decision makers in their effort to promote their desired outcome.
Pro marijuana citizens frequently put forth the argument that we should allow marijuana shops in Lakewood because people are going to use marijuana anyway so Lakewood might as well profit from the cash the activity will produce.
If that is to be accepted as a solid argument, then it makes as much sense to suggest that because some citizens are going to ____________________________ (fill in the blank – use meth, use heroin, use child pornography, patronize prostitutes, we should legalize the activity so Lakewood can snatch some of the cash produced by such activity.
In the world of weed, promoters like to soften the issue by using the term cannabis. They like the terms “medical” and “recreational”
I suppose to fall in line with this line of thinking pimps could display a sign on their city approved whore houses that reads “Comfort Station”.
A smoker and toker with a drug addled brain might say, “Yaaa, man, that makes total sense, man. Pass the join, man.”
Joseph Boyle
Joseph is pro-dope as long as it’s the doctor-prescribed oxy/heroin I’m sure. As long as it’s ok for big business , his 401k and the federal government, that’s good enough for him.
Steve,
I see that you are sure, but I see that you are also are making a series of incorrect assumptions.
If my own doctor were to prescribe oxy/heroin, I will admit to you that I would prefer to smoke marijuana. I have no use for oxy/heroin. While I agree with you, weed is a better choice than oxy/heroin, I have no interest in weed either, but it is preferable over the other two.
Actually, I do not even like taking aspirin. I am anti-dope.
Yes, I support the free enterprise system when it is functioning on a legal and ethical basis. If it were not for the free enterprise system which includes big business, a good many citizens would not have jobs and therefore would lack the funds they need to buy marijuana. Dope smokers should also support big and small business if the business enterprise is legal and ethical.
A 401K is an intelligent retirement tax saving device for accumulating money for the future. Most people are not intelligent and disciplined enough to take advantage of the 401K and therefore make poor decisions when it comes to saving money especially when they can save money on a tax advantaged basis. Then they cry about being on a fixed income below the poverty line.
Steve, one of us is right and one of us is wrong. I am okay with you thinking I am wrong.
Joseph Boyle
I have a few 401ks that I don’t need (put them things in high-risk funds and let the dice roll) but LMAO at the generalization that cannabis consumers are low-income.
It surpassed alcohol sales in Aspen, CO this year.
Lakewood City Council doesn’t listen to this gibberish anyway so fight on.
Pass the join?
HA HA
WOT
Does the City and Council members have drug testing ? Do they want weed smokers on the city council ? or representing the city in any capacity ? Can we find out if its tolerated in any city position ?
If its not acceptable for them , then why would they say ” We endorse it for YOU ! But not for ME ”
Seems as a double standard.
I’m convinced the City Council has already decided on whether to allow pot shops. Doesn’t make any difference whether you are pro or con pot in Lakewood, our City Council doesn’t listen to residents of the city anyway. The debate will not affect their decision.
Why would they and so many other governments flaunt the federal law which says marijuana is illegal? Will they decide to wipe out the arrest records for those convicted of the illegal use/sale of marijuana prior to legalizing it in Lakewood?
Why don’t we legalize arson, murder, spousal abuse and pedophelia, they are here and committed anyway. Then we could have the Council remove the criminal convictions of those tried and found guilty, prior to their legalization.
I always thought the city council were representatives of their local constituents, not an extension of the federal government. The people of Washington, Pierce County and Lakewood voted for legal cannabis.
Mr. Boyle, methinks you’re wasting your time exchanging views with Steve. I don’t recall the verbage in the referendum, but I don’t think it mandated that every municipality in the state must provide for its sale and purchase. Steve’s all upset because he has to drive to Tacoma to purchase his marijuana. Poor baby.
If I were a Lakewood business owner, I would be mad that our city council was driving residents away to shop elsewhere. It is just a self-imposed inconvenience for Lakewood residents.
Like Marty says, we can just drive a few miles and buy it, some other city gets the tax revenue, and then it gets consumed here in Lakewood just the same. The only people hurt are Lakewood residents and taxpayers.