(Nov. 15) From the desk of Councilmember Jim McCune:

The year-end is fast approaching and there is much work to be done and many policies to consider.  As your representative at the local level, I am compelled to communicate to you with messages that are different than the general “all is well at the county” kind of information.  Please go to our Council Page for general information.  I will periodically send out newsletters to highlight what is happening in our district.

If you are seeking to gain an all around perspective of what your government is doing, please read on and sign up here (Council District 3) for future newsletters, if you so choose.  It is my desire to enable you to consider the total effect of the many layers of government restrictions and mandates that are embedded in policies, as well as being informed by research that you won’t find in the mainstream media.

It can easily be said that “what you aren’t told” is perhaps more important than “what you are told.”  The Council debated this hotly contested issue and passed Ordinance 2013-111s to address how the county will proceed with the placement of recreational marijuana facilities to comply with I-502.  I voted for this ordinance.  It allows for the placement of recreational marijuana in Pierce County when the federal government legalizes marijuana in all 50 states.

Appearances can be deceiving.  What appears to be a harmless, fun drug, statistics tell a different story.  Many try to make the case that it’s less harmful than alcohol.  Passing laws so people can validate their vices is bad policy.

There was little money to combat the big investors who know how to milk a cash cow.  According to the PDC, the approve campaign spent $6,168,881, compared to the reject campaign, $16,195.  There were 32 large contributions, totaling $5,157,000—almost 84% of the total.  What does that tell you?  I take my role as your representative very seriously.  I have never led anyone to believe that I would compromise the integrity of my vote for personal gain or acquiesce to political pressures.  I-502 (legalizing recreational marijuana) put all of your elected reps in a precarious position. It set us up to break federal law.

I-502 didn’t make provisions to fund an increased need in public safety expenditures.  Most of the taxes collected will be directed by the state.  This article, “Will Washington’s legal pot taxes go to health care?” didn’t make the papers before the vote.

Regardless of where you stand on this issue, the county was proactive in guarding the public’s welfare while allowing an avenue for marijuana growth, distribution and sales.  The folks who wrote, worked and supported the initiative have the opportunity to lobby their federal government for the same law, thereby, exonerating your public officials from potential federal prosecution.

The ordinance is with the office of Executive McCarthy.  She has 3 options:  sign, not sign and let it become law in 10 working days (Nov. 25th), or return it to the Council with a veto.  If you would like to encourage your Council Executive with the decision you prefer, her contact information is here.

Next week, I plan to send out an update of our recent budget process and some other notes of interest pertinent to the 3rd Council District.

With warm regards,

Jim McCune