12 Mar 2014

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SAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact: Shayda Esfahani

March 11, 2014                                               Cell: 778-988-4460

      Email: shayda@learnaboutsam.org

 

First Month of Marijuana Tax Revenue in Colorado Falls Well Short of Expectations

March 11, 2014 – [Denver, CO] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Co-Founders, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy and Executive Director Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, released the following statement about marijuana tax revenue in Colorado:

“It appears that Colorado is falling well short of the state’s revenue projection from marijuana sales. Instead, the number from January is less than $2 million, far below estimates claimed by both the Governor and legalization advocates. Of course, just like alcohol and tobacco revenue, we know that the sales of this intoxicant will bring in far less than the costs of its use. In fact, every $1 in alcohol and tobacco revenue the state gains comes at a price of $10 in lost social costs. Already, legalization in Colorado has been characterized by children visiting hospital emergency rooms for marijuana poisonings from ‘pot cookies,’ increased marijuana use in schools, and a 40% increase in workplace and school drug tests, according to Conspire!, an independent testing company.

“Legalization in Colorado is turning into a very bad idea – a massive, for-profit business has boomed, with rampant advertising and commercialization abound. Colorado is now known for its pot more than for its mountains. And drug dealers are as prolific as ever. Is this a reputation anyone can be proud of?”

Mr. Kennedy, continued:

“I have devoted my life to mental health awareness and the establishment of a modern health system that recognizes the importance of preventing and treating mental illness. That is why I am extremely concerned about how America’s current rush toward marijuana legalization, however, could increase our health problems by allowing a permissive environment for addiction.”

About Smart Approaches to Marijuana:

Project SAM is a nonpartisan alliance of lawmakers, scientists and other concerned citizens who want to move beyond simplistic discussions of “incarceration versus legalization” when discussing marijuana use, and instead focus on practical changes in marijuana policy that neither demonizes users nor legalizes the drug. SAM supports a treatment, health-first marijuana policy.

10 Mar 2014

SJC Reagan Weekend a Success!

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San Juan ,Lopez and Orcas Island Republicans Gathered to Hear Bill Bryant’s Message on American Liberty

photo 2So much discussion was generated on how we should navigate through the upcoming years. Comparisons were made to the Civil War and the Carter years in Bill Bryant’s speech. Our freedom to correct and vote out damaging leaders will help us recover from what is being called the “Obama Error”. Mike Pryce also spoke giving us a global look at American influence and power. Our guest list included Fredi Simpson National Committee Woman, Jeff Kent National Committee Man, Luanne VanWerven WSRP Vice Chair and Jim Donner Snohomish County State Committee Man. We were all uplifted this weekend but recognize much work is ahead, especially when we bring our Independent and Democrat neighbors along.

Thank you to all who contributed to the weekend events!

26 Feb 2014

REAGAN WEEKEND EVENTS MARCH 7,8TH-COME JOIN US

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REAGAN WEEKEND EVENTS MARCH 7,8

Speaker Bill Bryant, Seattle Port Commissioner
“What American Liberty Really Means” 

Friday March 7th, 5:00 PM
Dinner, Speaker, Silent Auction, Dessert Auction, History Trivia
Blue Water Grill, Friday Harbor
$50 ticket/RSVP 378-4738


Saturday March 8th, Noon
Lunch and Speaker
Lopez Community Church, 91 Lopez Road
$20 ticket/RSVP 468-2043


Saturday March 7th, 4:00 PM
Coffee and Speaker
Mamie’s Boardwalk Café, Orcas Island Ferry Landing
Donation Appreciated/RSVP 376-2971

 Please RSVP to join our Reagan Day Weekend Events and support our local party work. We will introduce you to our speaker Bill Bryant, Seattle Port Commissioner. See our website for his bio. He is considering the Washington Governor’s race for 2016. We will also have in attendance our WSRP Vice Chair Luanne VanWerven, National Committee Woman Fredi Simpson and National Committee Man Jeff Kent. Also attending will be Jim Donner, State Committee Man from Snohomish County. I am honored these leaders are coming to see our beautiful county where republican values are surging upward.

Please let me know if you can supply a dessert for the SJI Dessert Auction.

Sincerely,
Michelle Loftus, SJCRP Chair
360-378-4738

22 Feb 2014

Council Passes CAO Changes Without Using Most Recent DOE Science

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Dear CSA Friends and Neighbors,

On February 11, while Councilman Jarman was in the hospital, Councilmen Hughes and Stephens passed amendments to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) that increase critical area review areas for development near wetlands from 205 to 300 feet, and from the fish and wildlife habitat critical area (FWHCA)—the shoreline—from 110 to 200 feet.
At the same Council meeting, the Council learned that in October of last year, DOE’s head wetland specialist Tom Hruby, published an “Update on Wetland Buffers: The State of the Science, Final Report.” That report recommends a site-specific approach to buffers.
All along, CSA has been fighting for site-specific buffers.  However, in reviewing the CAO to meet the Growth Board’s requirements to be in compliance with the GMA, the current County Council voted to change from a site-specific buffer system to the DOE Wetland rating system—“a one-size fits-all” fixed buffer width approach.  This approach goes far beyond what the Growth Board was requiring and is not in agreement with the most recent DOE best available science.
Why, we ask, was the Council not made aware of this new report before they began deliberating on compliance issues? Continued