Colorado governor John Hickenlooper appeals to voters to vote “yes” on Proposition BB on Sept. 21, at the Colorado State Capitol Building. Gov. Hickenlooper and members of the Joint Budge Committee wanted to appeal to voters to vote yes for Proposition BB that would put the tax money from the sale of recreational marijuana into rebuilding schools, funding programs for drug rehabilitation and other programs that voters agreed on. (Brent Lewis, The Denver Post)
As pediatricians, we have become all too familiar with treating kids who have accidentally eaten marijuana.
Two 8-year-old kids grabbed marijuana cookies off the counter and required intensive care. A 15-month-old toddler found marijuana gummy bears in her mother’s purse and needed to be hospitalized. A 2-week-old baby was drinking marijuana from breast milk, resulting in failure to grow and develop normally.
As the marijuana industry continues to expand, it is important that our communities and families benefit as much as the companies. This is why voting “yes” on proposition BB is critical. Money generated from marijuana taxes needs to go to education, mentor services, poison control, and substance abuse programs. Bottom line: money spent this way helps avoid medical emergencies like those above.
Voting “yes” on Proposition BB is voting to protect our kids.
Brittany Darragh, M.D., Denver
Gregory Kennedy, M.D., Denver
Stephanie Gilley, M.D., Denver
This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.
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