It is a sad situation that we find ourselves in where special interest groups have dumped millions of dollars into getting marijuana on state ballots by calling it medicine, and we’re now faced with a possible dealer opening shop and pushing that by requesting variances.

The FDA has protected the public for decades by utilizing an approval process in which to purchase medicine. Unfortunately this is now being circumvented by state law since the Arizona “medical” marijuana law passed. It’s unfortunate that we had to allow a permit for operation of one of these dispensaries and just sad that this will be called medicine. It is not medicine. There is no such thing as medical marijuana. It is pot, weed, a Schedule I substance. Doctors cannot write a “prescription” for it because they would lose their license by doing so. Marijuana remains a federally illegal substance.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states: “there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful,” and “that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use.”

Our teens will be at higher risk for abuse by an increased volume of marijuana in our communities.

I hope none of the requested variances will be allowed that were listed in last week’s Fountain Hills Times.

Changing hours of operation and adding an ATM would subject the business, its employees, and neighboring areas to increased crime.

No outside seating area should be permitted. This isn’t a coffee shop. It is selling a federally illegal drug. A seating area invites community. Community forming around a marijuana-dealing location is an invitation for abuse and disaster.

It’s the job of adults in this great community to keep it safe for our kids.