Everyone has the right to breathe clean air free from secondhand smoke, including marijuana smoke and e-cigarette aerosol. Thanks to Colorado's Clean Indoor Air Act, most but not all work and public places are smoke-free. However, a bill just passed by the General Assembly would significantly erode the public health protections in this smoke-free law, putting lives at risk.
If signed into law by Gov. Hickenlooper, House Bill 1258 would allow marijuana shops to establish tasting rooms for people to consume marijuana on-site through electronic smoking devices. As a cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I oppose public use of marijuana because of the potential health hazards from the carcinogens in marijuana smoke. Additionally, the aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain harmful chemicals, including nicotine, heavy metals such as lead, and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
Gov. Hickenlooper should veto this bill. We shouldn't risk the health of Coloradans and tourists by permitting marijuana use in public places.
Theresa Brilli
Longmont