Take Back America Campaign

1692 Aitken Rd., Lincoln, Calif. 95648

____________ __________

May 2, 2020

Mayor Rich Tran

City of Milpitas

rtran@ci.milipitas.ca.gov

Cc: Members of the City Council

Bob Nunez bnunezz@ci.millipitas.ca.gov

Carmen Montana cmontana@ci.milipitas.ca.gov

Karen Dominquez kdominguez@ci.milipitas.ca.gov

Anthony Phan aphan@ci.milipitas.ca.gov

City Clerk mlavelle@ci.milpitas.ca.gov

Re: Opposition to Cannabis Tax Measure

Dear Mayor and members of the Council:

I urge you to vote no against any measure to proliferate the use of marijuana for tax income. As with any business, one must look at costs in addition to income. In the case of this dangerous drug, the human, environmental and economic costs vastly exceed any economic benefit.

Cannabis ingested in any form causes numerous adverse impacts to the body and brain. In young people particularly it can cause permanent brain damage and loss of IQ by up to 8 points. It elevates the risk of psychosis 5 times and suicide 7 times. It is a major cause of mental illness. In some individuals it causes psychotic breaks leading to violent acts of violence and mass murders. One in six adolescents and one in ten adults will be become addicted. People who are mentally ill or addicted can’t work effectively, if at all, so they have to turn to crime and public service for support. The throngs of homeless people throughout our great state reflect the outcome of drug use and addiction, which almost always starts with marijuana.

In addition to all of the historic harms of smoking and dabbing marijuana, vaping has made it much worse. Vaping attacks the lungs and respiratory system, causing death in many cases. Combining that with the Covid-19 problem, and it is a recipe for disaster. Marijuana ingested in any form, including edibles, also diminishes one’s auto-immune system. Just what we don’t need as we all try to survive the pandemic.

The first and most important responsibility of elected officials at all levels is public health and safety. I urge you to defeat any measure to proliferate the use of this drug. The costs will dramatically exceed any tax benefits, as has been the case everywhere. The value of even one life saved is priceless.

Thank you for doing the right thing for your constituents.

Sincerely

Roger Morgan

Founder