A local marijuana advocate addressed the Haines Borough Assembly last week, urging the officials to either watch adults consume marijuana or partake in the substance themselves.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the day marijuana officially became legal in Alaska, Dean Lari approached the assembly during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting. Lari said he was concerned about the overblown rhetoric surrounding the discussion of marijuana, saying misinformation was breeding fear on the state and local levels.
“I would like to invite each and every one of you to bring your video cameras and bring your notebooks and actually observe responsible adults consuming marijuana,” Lari said to those seated at the dais, which included borough manager David Sosa and clerk Julie Cozzi.
He also extended an invitation to police chief Bill Musser.
“As long as you are only reading about it in books or in newspapers or watching ‘Reefer Madness,’ you are going to be scared,” Lari said.
As assembly members and borough staff will be responsible for crafting municipal legislation governing marijuana consumption and production, it makes sense they should “observe with their own eyes” how the substance works, Lari said.
“Take notes: Is there violence? Is there negativity? Is there people puking? Is there depression?” Lari said.
He also welcomed them to a first-hand experience. “You’re welcome to try it. It’s not going to kill you,” he said.
Lari said now is the time to sit down as a community and talk about the issue. In doing so, Haines could set a precedent for the state and serve as a positive example, he said.