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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2000-62Suggested by: CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION NO. 2000-62 Mayor Williams A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, OPPOSING BALLOT MEASURE NO. 5, INITIATIVE NO. 99HEMP: ALLOWING THE USES OF HEMP, INCLUDING MARIJUANA. WHEREAS, the City of Kenai recognizes the negative impact of Ballot Measure No. 5, which would legalize marijuana in Alaska and causing Alaska to be the only state in the country to legalize marijuana consumption, possession, distribution and cultivation; and, WHEREAS, under this proposition, marijuana use would be legal for 18-year-olds, even though Alaskans must be 19 to purchase cigarettes and 21 to purchase alcohol; and, WHEREAS, because marijuana is an intoxicant, passage of Ballot Measure No. 5 would endanger public safety by providing easy access to marijuana, thus allowing more people to drive under the influence and prohibiting testing for marijuana for employment or insurance, even though these drug tests are currently used to determine impairment of workers, drivers, or anyone suspected of being under the influence; and, WHEREAS, support for Ballot Measure 5 sends a confusing message to our community's young people about the hazards of drug use and passage of the Measure would grant amnesty to a person convicted in the past of marijuana crimes; release any Alaskan currently behind bars for a marijuana-related crime; consider restitution to those who have been imprisoned; and would conflict with federal law, requiring the Legislature, Governor, and Attorney General to challenge current federal marijuana prohibitions at a substantial cost to Alaskan taxpayers; and, WHEREAS, passage of this Measure could disqualify Alaska businesses from competition for federal contracts requiring drug-free standards, adversely affecting our economy and would require taxpayers to subsidize marijuana-related infrastructure; and, WHEREAS, in 1990, Alaskan voters passed an initiative that made marijuana illegal. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, opposes Ballot Measure No. 5, Initiative No. 99HEMP, allowing uses of hemp, including marijuana. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,d~hi~ 19th day of October, 2000. ~~~j~ ATTEST: / Carol L. Freas, City Clerk