Interview with Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland on Medical Marijuana

http://blog.myfreeworld.info/2010/09/17/interview-with-mesa-count-commissioner-j...

By Brett Forrester, Originally published in The Source / September 2010
www.yvsource.com



The Source: When did you first realize that the public sector needed to be included in the process to allow or not allow medical marijuana centers.

Janet Rowland: The citizens voted to amend the Colorado Constitution to allow for the use of medical marijuana (MMJ) by people with debilitating diseases in 2000. But it wasn't until the Obama administration took the position that they would not prosecute individuals who used MMJ according to their state law, that we saw a significant increase in the use and distribution of MMJ. This new industry began to grow, but without regulations similar to the regulations for prescription drugs. It became clear to me that since MMJ cannot be distributed through pharmacies, it was necessary to implement similar regulations (for dispensaries or centers). Regulating the industry is a legitimate role of government. Eliminating it is not.

Given your background and personal understanding of how important this issue is, how have you helped this process along?
For me, the entire focus is on the Constitution. Personally, I did not vote in favor of Amendment 20, but it was passed by the voters and is now a part of our Constitution. As an elected official, I took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution. We should not pick and choose the parts of the Constitution we uphold.

Additionally, I do not believe we should opt out of the Constitution on a count-by-county basis. I do not agree that the majority of one community should be permitted to take a Constitutional right away from an individual. If the voters of Colorado are concerned about how MMJ has been implemented, then the voters of Colorado should consider amending or changing it. But it should not happen on a county or city basis. I have spoken out on this issue at every opportunity. I am disappointed that the issue will be on the ballot in Mesa County, and I intend to do as much as I am able to share my position on this issue with the voters of Mesa County.

What research did you do to come up with answers to the marijuana questions?
I haven't research much about the medical aspects of MMJ, because I believe that debate happened ten years ago. And the issue was resolved by a vote of the people when they amended the Colorado Constitution. My focus now isn't about whether or not MMJ is a good idea or not. My focus is on upholding the Constitution.

You, as an influential member of our community and a supporter of such political operations as the very recent one at the Old Courhouse, could perhaps be a rallying center and voice for all the MMJ dispensaries. Given the amount of money that has been spent and will be paid in taxes and the positive support you would receive from the dispensaries for your position, you could gain a real foundation in upcoming elections and probably on other controversial issues from that segment of the community. Are you willing to take a stronger step in the direction of getting the dispensaries approved, i.e., exercise influence on the city?
I am not sure how much influence I can have over the City of Grand Junction, as they are a separate elected body; but I have (spoken out) and will continue to speak out on what I believe to be a Constitutional issue. I am not sure whether my position on this issue would or would not help me in future elections, and frankly I don't care. I am taking a stand on principle, not politics.

Have you had conversations with area high schools about the MMJ issue and some people's saying it is destroying our youth? Do you believe that is true? If so, why?
I have not had a conversation with representatives from our local high schools. I had heard that there has been an increase in student suspensions related to the use of marijuana, but, when I spoke with one of the District 51 school board members about it, I was told that that information was strictly anecdotal, and that there was no data to support that claim at this time.

I have known persons who say that they are labeled as "pot heads," when these individuals have been very successful business owners and have paid big taxes because of the money they have made doing legitimate business. Do you think that those persons in MMJ business should pay more taxes or be penalized?
I believe most businesses are over regulated and over taxed. That is why I have worked with my fellow commissioners to lower the business personal property tax, eliminate Mesa County Planning/Development fees and reduce the bureaucracy in the Mesa County Planning/Development process. I do not believe any one industry should be singled out to pay more taxes than other businesses, and that includes MMJ (businesses). Regulations should focus on the health and safety of citizens and fees to be set back on the cost of the oversight of that particular industry.

One of the big problems with politics today is the hypocritical stand so many take on issues. If you find the truth, or more important, believe what you read and experience, would you (or better yet) should you not do everything in your elected power to help promote the truth, regardless of outcome. Right is right, is it not?
Right is right. And that has been my position throughout this issue. Eliminating MMJ retail centers will significantly restrict, if not completely eliminate, the ability of citizens to exercise their Constitutional right to use MMJ to combat debilitating diseases. Whether people agree with MMJ or not, it is in the Colorado Constitution and should be upheld. There are people who don't like the Tax Payers Bill of Rights (TABOR), but it is in the Constitution and should be upheld by all elected officials. There are also people who don't think guns are a good idea, but the second amendment of the US Constitution gives us the right to bear arms, and I would equally oppose any initiative to restrict or eliminate the ability of Mesa County citizens to purchase guns.

We need to remove the emotion and personal biases and simply support the Constitution.