Letters to the Editor: Fairgrounds should try replacing one gun show with a cannabis-related event

On Feb. 22, the Orange County Fair Board adopted a final policy banning cannabis-related events and the sale of cannabis products or drug paraphernalia at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds. This policy was adopted with a 5-0 vote.

What are the standards and decisive factors in the selection of the O.C. Fair Board? How are board members chosen and by whom? How long are their terms? [Editor’s note: Fair Board members are appointed to four-year terms by the governor.]

As stated, this decision was made after a “brief” discussion. Was there any discussion regarding the 10 days of gun shows the fairgrounds has this year? Was there any discussion regarding how we represent ourselves not only to our adjacent community but to all of Orange County?

Has there ever been a consensus of how the nearby homeowners, schools, recreational areas, daycare centers, senior facilities, etc., feel about all these gun shows? Are there more police and security personnel needed at these gun shows? If so, what is the extra cost citizens have to pay?

In light of the recent school tragedy in Florida it might be time to “discuss” if 10 gun shows a year is safer than one cannabis event.

A cannabis weekend event could educate attendees about the many benefits involved in the cannabis movement. Furthermore, hemp is an outstanding byproduct of cannabis.

Medical cannabis is just one important positive. If more people were aware of the advantages, there would be fewer deaths caused by addiction and dependence on over-prescribed pain medications.

In addition, most people in the cannabis movement know there is an untapped gold mine in hemp. Its seeds and flowers are used in health foods, organic body care and other “nutraceuticals,” a nutrient added to food. The fibers and stalks are used in hemp clothing, rope, construction materials, paper, biofuel and plastic composites.

If the OC Fair Board had explored and educated itself, and understood that cannabis is not a bad word, maybe a more knowledgeable and intelligent outcome would have prevailed.

Perhaps the board can come together and reconsider this decision. Give one of the gun show weekends to a cannabis event and just see what the results are. If the fairgrounds are unable to cancel a gun show already scheduled, give the cannabis event a weekend. They might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

There is so much misinformation that could be dispelled and so much that could be learned at a cannabis event. I’m sure many are disappointed with this decision. This issue is not going to go away.

Carolyn Fitz-Gibbon

Newport Beach

Winning percentage is as interesting as medal count

With the 2018 Winter Olympics now in the history books, it’s time to see who did what. The overall medal count went easily to Norway with 39. The U.S. came in fourth place with 23 medals.

While the total count is always interesting and an eye-catcher, it is also intriguing to note the number and percentage of gold medals that each country was able to win. For example, Norway’s percentage of gold was 36% while we, the U.S., had a tad more at 39%. Countries such as Sweden and Poland were able to garnish an impressive 50% in gold medals and little Belarus got a whopping 67%.

However, the gold medal for the highest percentage of gold medal wins must go to Hungary and Ukraine with 100% of medals won being gold in color. Whether or not it’s considered a factor, Hungary and Ukraine only won one medal each and its color was, you guessed it, gold.

Bill Spitalnick

Newport Beach

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