Vail Daily letter: Marijuana challenges

I wanted to respond to the article about Montana’s (“Montana’s, Hoffmanns locked in lease dispute,” July 30). The Hoffmann Real Estate group has been nothing but stellar as a property owner and landlord. We just went through six to eight years of building ownership for these three buildings left behind by bankrupt developers during which time the property was neglected and left in great disrepair. I had actually anticipated the Benchmark building would be condemned and not renovated in the very near future.

It is very reassuring to know we now have a responsible property owner that is spending money on these commercial properties instead of leaving them in disrepair with shoddy management. I really think the dispute with Montana’s arises more from a difference in business expectations between the tenant and landlord and more specifically the new pot laws in Colorado. To me this is where the real story lies. This will not be the last of many issues we will see arise out of this law in our community. This issue is what both parties to the lawsuit should have focused on, to work and find a way to see common ground instead of using the pot law as the means to sever a relationship.

The challenges of “legalized pot” goes beyond this scenario as well. Interestingly, we are seeing a lot of health and use issues with regard to this law that have become challenges for providers, parents, police, school administrators and the general public. Marijuana ER visits are on the rise throughout the state (Baby Boomers not aware of the new and improved product end up in ER with nausea and heart palpitations); police officers do not have clear regulations as to what is and is not private use, including calls of escalated “violent and weird” behavior by users; our schools are facing new challenges with edibles (is it really a Jolly Roger?); and the general public is reporting incidents of ingesting edibles with an “unknown” potency (housekeepers finding candy left behind by resort pot tourists). These are facts, irrespective of whether an individual supports or opposes the law. And really both proponents and opposers need to work together to find solutions.

Jill E. Kovacevich

Medical administrator, Doctors On Call