Our country, state and city is on the cusp of whether it continues to uphold our constitution or go with Marxism, socialism or communism. Your vote this election will count more than ever. Our country has been fighting against drugs for years. Oregon Measure 110 gave up the fight against drugs, brought more addicts to the state to become our homeless, and created more addicts since consequences were taken away. The amendments to Measure 110 that went in effect Sept. 1 is only a start to what is needed.

It is time for the conservatives in Redmond to show up at the polls again and take our city back. Marijuana dispensaries do not fit into our image of what Central Oregon is all about, and in addition it will draw a criminal element to our city.

If you are on medical marijuana there are 23 dispensaries in Bend, four in La Pine, one in Sunriver and five in Madras according to Go Magazine. You can drive, take the bus or have it Ubered to your home. The City of Redmond is not preventing you from purchasing marijuana. It is readily available in Deschutes County. A stand against drugs needs to be taken. Keep Redmond free of marijuana dispensaries.

Measure 9-178 imposes a municipal tax on products sold by marijuana retailers. Redmond City Council put this forward at their July 11 meeting. Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse so to say? Does this revenue of about $100,000 outweigh the cost to police and medical services? Vote no.

The city of Redmond has a two year moratorium on psilocybin services that expires Dec 31. Measure 9-179 asks if we should extend the two year moratorium. A yes vote would extend the moratorium and keep the service out of Redmond. A no vote would allow a business license for these services to operate within Redmond.

Psychedelic mushrooms have been transformed into edibles. The only access to hallucinogenic mushrooms is through a clinical setting which costs $3,500 per session. A medical condition is not a requirement to receive this service. It will be a new experience for the rich. This is another program that has to be overseen at the state level, which means increased tax dollars.

Ironically the state has approved an opioid treatment center for Redmond.

Your vote will make a difference.

Judy Dow

Redmond

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