In the Thursday, June 13 Daily Star, we again see familiar faces pictured in the article advocating all of the blissful benefits of recreational marijuana and how great of a thing it would be for the Niles community. Previously, in Buchanan where I live, some of the same individuals lobbied for this same thing with these same tired sound bites. It should be noted, that along with investors from Chicago, some of these advocates are founding members of marijuana dispensaries and grow operations in Buchanan (research some of these advocates and follow the money trail, and you will find that the folks pushing the decriminalization of marijuana the hardest have ownership stakes in the local marijuana operations).  People, wake up and realize there is no benefit to allowing medical or recreational marijuana in our communities.

The loudest advocates are driven by one thing — greed — the same as all of these out of town companies who want to come to our communities, where we are raising our children and set up legalized drug dealing.

Local advocates are just a patsy or the token local guy the big marijuana wannabes have bought off to help dupe the local politicians and citizens. Don’t think they will not get rich in the process. If you want to see how this is playing out in the real world, just research Denver where legalization has actually increased crime and underage use.

There is no such thing as a quick or easy buck personally or for our local townships and cities, once approved, it is a fast and slippery slope, and we will end up reaping the consequences of accepting the drug culture one way or another. Do your research folks. This is not a good thing for the future of our region.

DERRICK SOUSLY

Buchanan