Do people have a right to get their fix in Whitefish?

Editor's note: The following is a letter to the Whitefish City Council.

Thank you for not rushing into anything concerning the medical marijuana issue. I'm sure there are various opinions regarding the validity of marijuana as a medicine. Regardless of one's opinions, there are important considerations that need to be addressed.

First, if marijuana stores won't have a "blighting" effect on the neighborhoods they locate in, why do you need to put restrictions to keep them away from schools, churches, etc.? The fact of the matter is, it will have a blighting effect, and it carries a negative connotation that offends some.

Not to everyone, mind you, but to a significant number of us. I certainly would not locate my office or a retail store next to one. I would move. Not everyone feels as I do, but I'll bet you that this will indeed happen.

Second, please don't be swayed by bullies and their threats of lawsuits. Nobody on the council should go looking for a fight when you can find a compromise, but you shouldn't succumb to bullies. Just because they may have a legal industry doesn't mean it's right for Whitefish. A comparable example would be adult entertainment. It's legal, but it's never been welcome here, and the city has gotten along fine without it.

Is there really a high (no pun intended) demand for this product in Whitefish? Is Kalispell too far for someone to drive for it? Or do people have a "right" to get their fix in Whitefish?

Many of us have to drive to Kalispell to buy clothes, but I guess pot should be available right here. Does the fact that the legal sale of marijuana will increase taxes paid to the city taint your decision to restrict it? Is it really worth it for the sake of commerce?

Whitefish has a big problem with marijuana. Ask anyone who knows anything about the high school (appropriate name). Why can't the medical marijuana users just buy their pot at the school like everyone else?

When you legitimize something by allowing it to encroach on the community, you not only compromise the traditional values of the community, you de-sensitize people as to what is decent and acceptable. This is a significant stepping stone in the de-sensitization and will open the door further for other things.

Legitimizing marijuana by allowing stores that grow and sell it, for whatever reason, is the first step to making it not just legal for any reason but acceptable in society. Some day, we won't be discussing marijuana, we'll be talking about the right o set up a hashish bar and who knows what else.

Is this the kind of legacy you want to hand down to our kids? Is this going to help Whitefish continue to be "the last best place"? Are you going to go along with the rest of the country as they shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh well"? Are you going to make NORML proud? Or are you going to stand up and protect our community?

Please think about these things when you consider zoning and all the legal aspects associated with this type of business.

Doug Adams lives in Whitefish.