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2 <br /> <br />Thank you for your service to the City of San Leandro, and for your stance against medical marijuana. I am writing in <br />concerns to the San Leandro medical marijuana proposal. This is a critical decision that will have multiple negative <br />effects on the future of our City. <br /> <br />As a current resident of the City of San Leandro and a member of Heritage Baptist Church, I want to voice my strong <br />opposition to these medical marijuana dispensaries being placed in our City. If this ordinance is passed, it will pose a <br />huge threat to the social and moral well-being in our San Leandro communities. <br /> <br />I think it is fair to say that the majority of those utilizing these medical marijuana dispensaries will not be doing so <br />for purely medical reasons only. Allowing these dispensaries to be put in place will give the general public unrestricted <br />access to marijuana. This gateway drug leads users to be more inclined to try more addictive drugs such as cocaine or <br />heroin. I do agree that marijuana may have some positive health effects in certain situations; however, I strongly <br />believe that the negative health effects of marijuana heavily outweigh the positive health effects. Science proves that <br />marijuana use impairs rational thinking, cognitive ability, and has damaging effects on short-term memory and healthy <br />lungs. Marijuana should not be used as a cover-up, over-the-counter prescription drug for anxiety, depression, nausea, <br />headaches, or other minor problems that can be dealt with by medical professionals. <br /> <br />This is not just a medical issue, but a moral issue as well. I can just imagine the horrible moral impact it can have on <br />residents and on the community as a whole - our shopping centers, public places, our churches, and especially our <br />school environments cannot benefit from this ordinance. Our students are our future generation, and I am extremely <br />burdened for them and the world that they will have to grow up in. This ordinance will make marijuana even more <br />acceptable than it already is in our high schools, middle schools, and who knows, even our elementary schools for that <br />matter. It can only hasten the moral decay that is in our school systems already. <br /> <br />On behalf of the upcoming generation and the future of our city, I earnestly pray that the people of San Leandro will <br />make the right decision in not allowing these marijuana dispensaries to be placed here in our city. <br /> <br />Again, thank you for all that you do for the City of San Leandro and its communities. I appreciate your position on this <br />matter of medical marijuana, and I hope to join voices with you on Tuesday's meeting against the passing of this <br />ordinance. Please know that you are being prayed for by me personally, by my Pastor Alan Fong, and by the Heritage <br />Baptist Church of San Leandro. <br /> <br />Take care and God bless, <br /> <br />-- <br />Joseph Coleman <br />Student Assistant <br />Office of the VP for Student Affairs <br />San Jose State University <br />1 Washington Square <br />San Jose, CA 95192-0031 <br />Phone: (408) 924-6238 <br />Email: joseph.coleman@sjsu.edu <br />