To the editor:

If Westport were to legalize marijuana, it would send a message in the community, and especially to our children; that the drug marijuana is acceptable. Drugs are addictive; even though marijuana is considered a ‘soft drug,’ it is still addictive. The use of marijuana usually leads to the use of ‘hard drugs,’ which is why it is called a gateway drug. It is the opinion of this selectman, and the Westport’s Board of Selectmen, that it is in everyone’s best interest to avoid exposure to risk, and protect citizens’ health.

During my 36 years in law enforcement, many of those years in the Narcotic Unit, it is my belief that the repercussions of marijuana use have social ramifications which increase the burden on law enforcement, as well as negatively affect our environment. Marijuana is a mind altering drug which can affect memory and emotions, render an individual unable to think logically or to make rational decisions, and can lead to dependency. Statistically, some of the social consequences of marijuana use are the dramatic increase in drugged-driving incidents, fatal crashes, and marijuana among teens results in educational problems in middle and high school. These are just a few reasons why I will always oppose the recreational use of marijuana.

Outdoor marijuana cultivation creates a host of negative environmental affects that is not best for Westport and our farm lands. These grow sites affect wildlife, vegetation, water, soil, and other natural resources through the use of poisonous chemicals, toxic insecticides and fertilizers which are used to protect the crops from insect damage, ward off or kill rats, deer, rodents, and other animals that could cause crop damage. However, these poisonous chemicals pollute the land and contribute to food chain and water contamination. The size and scale of the negative environmental impact marijuana cultivation can have is far too dangerous to entertain in Westport as I believe if marijuana were legalized we would begin to see individuals attempting to create grow sites on their property.

It is confusing to me why a country that has spent billions of dollars educating the public on the harmful effects of smoking is now asking the populace to consider legalizing marijuana which will make the possession and use of marijuana legal under state law, even though marijuana is an intoxicant, proven to be dangerous to adolescents with regular use, as well as to adults who are addicted to its calming, high-producing chemical, THC. I understand the reasoning behind the medicinal purposes of medical marijuana as this drug assists in the treatment of diseases and painful symptoms. However, it would not be in anyone’s best interest to have marijuana readily available and easy to obtain for non-medicinal purposes.

While taxing marijuana could generate some revenue, it is my opinion that the economic and social costs of drug use and its consequences far outweigh any benefit gained from any revenue it would generate. It could not keep pace with the financial and social costs associated with this harmful and mind altering drug. Case in point is the economic realities of other substances, as the tax revenue collected from alcohol pales in comparison to the costs associated with it. 

While many communities are facing serious budget challenges, innovative solutions must be explored to reach financial stability. It is clear that the social and environmental costs of legalizing marijuana or the revenue it would generate is not the answer to keeping citizens safe from risk and potential sorrow.

Richard Spirlet

Westport selectman