Lutherville Drug Expert Blasts Legalizing Marijuana Proposal

Mike Gimbel
Former Baltimore County Drug Czar

It has come to my attention that the Maryland Legislature will be voting on a bill to ban the sale of “synthetic pot," often referred to as “spice or K-2." 

In itself this is not a bad idea since the use of synthetic pot has increased by our youth and many are ending up in emergency rooms due to the effects of these dangerous chemicals.  

Whether or not this will solve the synthetic drug problem is questionable since the chemist’s have been one step ahead of enforcement by changing the chemical compounds, thus avoiding the new laws.

But it’s still worth the effort.     

What I don’t understand is the hypocrisy of the Maryland State Legislature, especially Del. Curt Anderson from Baltimore City who has introduced legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.  

Do you have an informed opinion? Consider starting your own blog.

First, I don’t think a delegate representing a city that has been called the “heroin capital of the nation," has liquor stores on just about every corner and has a high crime rate directly associated to drug use, should be advocating legalizing any drug.    

But let’s look at the hypocrisy.   

The three drugs that kill more Americans are cigarettes, alcohol and prescription drugs, all legal and easy to obtain.  So why in the world would we every want to legalize another drug that clearly impairs the user and most likely causes more lung damage & cancer than cigarettes.

What our legislators need to focus on is the desperate need for additional drug and alcohol treatment programs throughout the state of Maryland.  Not only will this saves lives but will also reduce violence and other crime.