I just came away from the forum at Greenfield Community College: “Should Massachusetts legalize Marijuana,” advertised as an opportunity to “air concerns” and to help people be “ready to make an educated vote.”
I was very disappointed that after advising the moderator in advance of my desire to present medical information relative to the topic, I was told there was no time for that.
And knowing of my desire, he consistently avoided my comment or question during the hour of “audience participation,” instead offering the mike to the loud interrupters.
So much for education! Moreover, when the district attorney offered some medical facts, he was very loudly interrupted by the ones in the audience that didn’t want to consider the facts or medical concerns, without significant attempts by the moderator to control the audience’s noise and allow the presentation to continue with respect and order.
He just didn’t want any swearing due to TV coverage.
I had expected more from this “institution of higher education,” having expected both sides of the question to be presented evenly.
For those interested in learning why multiple medical organizations, school superintendents, police chiefs, etc, have a negative recommendation on this ballot question, and who seek to be educated on the matter, please consult: www.massmed.org/marijuana. There really are many good reasons to vote against this ballet Question 4, despite GCC’s one-sided promotion to the contrary.
Daniel Clapp, M.D.
Amherst