Kennesaw, Up In Smoke
There’s an unsettling trend emerging in Kennesaw, a misguided effort, spearheaded by Councilman Anthony Gutierrez, to decriminalize cannabis (marijuana) within the city limits. Let’s be clear: this is not about compassion or justice. It is about pushing a radical leftist agenda that undermines public safety and erodes the very values that make Kennesaw one of the best places to live, raise a family, and do business.
Gutierrez’s proposal to strip away jail time for misdemeanor cannabis possession, and slash penalties to a mere slap on the wrist, is a direct affront to our community’s moral standards and common sense. Thankfully, Mayor Derek Easterling, a leader of principle and integrity, has vowed to veto this reckless move. Kennesaw residents should stand with him, and send a strong message to the rest of the council this November.
The True Dangers of Cannabis Use
Before we allow ourselves to be swept up in the trendy rhetoric of “decriminalization,” we need to look at the facts, real facts, not the utopian fantasies being pushed by progressive leftist.
The National Institutes of Health published an extensive study highlighting the significant risks associated with cannabis use (PMC6179811). According to their research, cannabis use is linked to:
- Increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, schizophrenia, and depression.
- Impaired cognitive function, particularly in adolescents and young adults whose brains are still developing.
- Higher likelihood of addiction and dependency, contrary to the popular myth that cannabis is “non-addictive.”
- Elevated risk of motor vehicle accidents due to impaired reaction times and coordination.
But that’s not all. The dangers of cannabis extend far beyond personal health risks, they bleed directly into public safety and criminal activity. Decriminalization advocates like Councilman Gutierrez often ignore a darker reality: the illegal cannabis market is a fertile breeding ground for crime and violence.
Here’s how illegal cannabis sales and use intertwine with other crimes according to an official Congressional report published in 2022:
Violent Crime
- Increased Homicides and Violent Acts: Illegal cannabis cultivation and sales often spark turf wars between rival criminal groups, fueling homicides and violent assaults. These conflicts can escalate rapidly, putting innocent citizens in the crossfire.
- Human Trafficking and Exploitation: Some illegal cannabis operations employ forced labor, including victims of human trafficking, one of the ugliest forms of modern-day slavery.
Property Crimes
- Thefts and Robberies: Cannabis farms, dispensaries, and individuals involved in illegal sales frequently become prime targets for theft and robbery.
- Burglary and Larceny: Illegal operations attract further criminal activity, such as burglaries and property crimes, undermining neighborhood safety.
Financial Crimes
- Money Laundering: The vast cash flows generated by illegal cannabis sales require sophisticated money laundering schemes to conceal illicit profits.
- Tax Evasion and Fraud: Unlicensed cannabis businesses rob our communities of tax revenue, and many engage in fraud to cover their tracks.
Organized Crime
- Cartel and Gang Involvement: The illegal cannabis trade is heavily infiltrated by drug cartels and organized crime groups. These criminal enterprises use cannabis profits to fund even more dangerous activities, from hard drug trafficking to arms smuggling.
- Labor Trafficking and Exploitation: Organized crime networks exploit vulnerable individuals, forcing them to work in brutal conditions on illegal grow operations.
Other Illicit Drug Activity
- Co-mingling of Drugs: Illegal cannabis dealers often traffic in other, more dangerous substances, creating broad networks of drug trafficking and distribution.
- Increased Access to Harder Drugs: The illegal cannabis market exposes individuals, especially young people, to harder drugs, increasing the risk of addiction and deepening the drug crisis, as documented by the National Institutes of Health.
In essence, the illegal cannabis market is not a harmless cottage industry. It is a pipeline for violence, exploitation, theft, organized crime, and addiction. Decriminalization, no matter how well-intentioned, opens the door wider for these dangerous elements to take root in the community.
Do we really want Kennesaw to go down this road?
Councilman Gutierrez’s Misguided Crusade
Councilman Gutierrez who apparently couldn’t be bothered to complete a simple biography on Kennesaw’s City Council official site. Also just happens to be the youngest and most inexperienced member of the Kennesaw City Council and seems determined to make a name for himself by championing this dangerous cause.
He claims that cannabis should have “never been illegal” and refers to its criminalization as part of an anti-immigrant conspiracy.
That kind of rhetoric may play well within Gutierrez’s radical leftist base, including pro-communist organizations such as the Working Families Party that endorses Gutierrez, but it’s insulting to the intelligence of Kennesaw residents. More importantly, it distracts from the very real risks this policy would pose to our families, our schools, and our roads.
Even Kennesaw’s own Police Chief, Bill Westenberger, warned the council about the potential for a “slippery slope”, an increase in marijuana use, especially among young people, and a surge in impaired driving.
Are we really prepared to sacrifice public safety to satisfy the political ambitions of one lame duck councilman?
Mayor Easterling: A Voice of Reason and Leadership
In stark contrast to Gutierrez and supporting Council Members, Mayor Derek Easterling has shown tremendous courage and clarity. He understands what is at stake and has made it clear that he will veto any ordinance that attempts to decriminalize cannabis in Kennesaw.
Mayor Easterling rightly pointed out that anyone who chooses to break the law must face the consequences, consequences that serve as a deterrent and a safeguard for our community. He also reminded the council that current state law allows for a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail, penalties that are rarely imposed to their fullest extent but remain an essential tool for law enforcement.
In a time when too many leaders are bowing to political correctness and activist pressure, Mayor Easterling deserves our full support.
The Council’s Divide, and the Upcoming Election
Unfortunately, Gutierrez is not alone. Council members Madelyn Orochena and Tracy Viars also expressed support for gutting incarceration as a penalty for cannabis possession. Their arguments, often framed in “emotional terms”, fail to address the hard facts about the dangers of cannabis and the importance of maintaining the rule of law.
Councilman Pat Ferris was right to question the timing and motivation behind this proposal, noting that it reeks of political posturing in the run-up to the November election. And indeed, with seats for Gutierrez, Jones, and Ferris all on the ballot this fall, Kennesaw voters will have an opportunity to hold their elected leaders accountable.
A Call to Action for Kennesaw Residents
Here’s the bottom line: this push to decriminalize cannabis is not about fairness or freedom. It’s about undermining our laws and exposing our community to unnecessary risks. Kennesaw doesn’t need to follow the poor examples of Atlanta or Savannah. We need to stay true to our values, faith, family, and the rule of law.
If you believe, as I do, that Kennesaw should remain a safe and law-abiding city:
- Contact your city council members and urge them to reject this reckless proposal.
- Support Mayor Derek Easterling for standing strong in defense of our community.
- Vote this November and send a clear message that we will not tolerate this kind of poor leadership from Councilman Gutierrez and his “comrades”.
This is not just a policy debate. It’s a fight for the soul of Kennesaw. Let’s stand up and win it.
