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Ballot Measure Two Gets Endorsement from New York Times

mymcmedia.org

Those in favor of passing proposition two on the November ballot received a significant endorsement from an out of state source. 

Ballot measure two would make the use and purchase of marijuana legal for those 21 and older, create a marijuana control board and tax pot at $50 per ounce wholesale.  Although it’s already legal for Alaskans to possess small amounts in their homes, prop two would mean that Alaskans could buy pot from a store instead of resorting to illegal drug deals.

Earlier this month, The New York Times released an editorial column states that those on the Editorial Board agree and support the pro-marijuana measures on the ballots in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, DC.  The column says the measures would “effectively disregard the misguided federal ban on a drug that is far less dangerous than alcohol.” 

Spokesperson for the Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol Vote Yes on Two campaign in Anchorage Taylor Bickford says the endorsement from the New York Times is important because it is the country’s newspaper of record.

“Voters across the country and in Alaska are becoming increasingly aware of the failure of our current marijuana policies. And we’ve had a system in place for decades that has unnecessarily criminalized otherwise law-abiding Alaskans simply for using a substance that is far safer than alcohol both to the individual and to society.”

Bickford says the New York Times backing of legalizing marijuana reflects the growing attitude of residents in Alaska.

“As time goes on, more and more Americans are going to come to this conclusion, and more and more Alaskans are going to come to this conclusion. And if you believe that arresting people in this state for marijuana is a waste of time and unnecessary then you have the chance to exercise your voice on November 4th by voting yes on ballot measure two.”

In Alaska, the Alaska State Troopers Bureau of Investigation Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit reports in 2013 there were over 650 marijuana related charges and arrests.     

The column in the New York Times says after decades of arresting people for buying, selling and using marijuana, society and minority communities are hurt disproportionately by the harsh criminal penalties of prohibition.