Op-ed: Council Member Chris Hook weighs in on marijuana conversation

I really appreciated the packed house at Wednesday’s Kent City Council meeting. Thanks to many, many folks who came to speak in support of recreational weed in Kent. It was inspiring, especially to see many generations represented in the room. But I’d like to unpack the issue because, unfortunately, there was a lot of misinformation flying around that I feel needs addressed.

The city has no plans to ignore the wishes of Issue 2 voters and ban the sale of recreational weed. Period, full stop. This has not been presented to council, ever, and it wouldn’t get very far if it did. Personally, as a public health professional, I believe in the positive impacts on everything from chronic pain to anxiety and depression, to just helping you get through the day. It can help when everything else doesn’t.