Tobacco, pot and teens, Katehi investigation
18-year-olds: Adults, children?
Re “Brown OKs raising smoking age to 21, new rules on vaping” (Page 1A, May 5): On one hand, 18-year-olds are legal adults who can vote, go to war, enter into contracts and be tried in criminal courts. On the other hand, they are considered children if they want to make an adult decision to smoke or drink.
Being 18 and having the right to vote or go off to war is much more of an adult responsibility than smoking or drinking. If politicians think they aren’t responsible enough to make decisions related to being an adult, why give them the right to vote?
And what about marijuana? Eighteen-year-olds will get to vote on legalizing it even though they won’t be able to use it until they are 21?
John Hightower, Orangevale
Smoking tobacco vs. pot
Re “Marijuana legalization campaign launches state drive for November” (Capitol & California, May 5): I read two articles on why smoking tobacco and vaping is bad and why legalizing smoking marijuana is good. Both articles cite concern for youths.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom promotes the marijuana initiative, while Gov. Jerry Brown says the tobacco measure removes easy access during the teenage years when most smokers take up the habit.
It seems to me the state is sending a mixed message, depending on what you are smoking. The reality is that the state is concerned about the health of our youths only when it is convenient.
Follow the money.
Judy Groboske, Rocklin
Paying for UC’s misadventures
Re “Ex-federal prosecutors to lead UC Katehi probe” (Local, May 6): Will Melinda Haag, the independent investigator appointed by Janet Napolitano to examine the situation at UC Davis, look into where the money is coming from to pay for all the lawsuits that the UC regents are dealing with from situations such as Kathehi’s actions, sexual harassment, etc.?
The legal bills must be huge. So where does that money come from? The Legislature? Student tuition? Private donations? Any special fund put aside for this use has to originate somewhere. The public deserves to know the facts.
Kathryn A. Klar, Richmond
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This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Tobacco, pot and teens, Katehi investigation."