Pubdate: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK) Copyright: 2004 Fairbanks Publishing Company, Inc. Contact: http://www.news-miner.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/764 Author: Curt Liebling Cited: Proposition 2 ( www.yeson2alaska.com/ ) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/states/ak/ (Alaska) NO ON MEASURE 2 To the editor: Have the supporters of Measure 2 considered the economic effects should this initiative pass? Clandestine growing and distribution of marijuana is an important industry in Alaska. It produces a very high rate of return on each dollar invested. It provides a great entry level business for the small investor. Legalization and taxation will totally ruin this industry. Marijuna is just too easy to grow to maintain the current high profit margin should it become just another commodity. Have you thought about the negative upmarket effects on their follow-on products? Without the current number of entry level buyers dealers will not have the opportunity to pitch stronger products which will also affect revenue. Profits will fall even further! What effect will this have on the sale of luxury goods in the state? What about attorney's fees? Won't they have fewer clients? The ripple effects could be tremendous! What will become of the employees of these small businesses? Will they start competing with the rest of us for legitimate jobs? No way! I don't want these people working with me! Don't forget the Feds. They don't like this initiative. We have to do everything they say, right? They own most of the state already, don't they? Perhaps if we vote yes they will buy up the rest of it and make us all leave. Besides, we have to think of Uncle Ted. He's already under a lot of pressure to have Lisa reappointed to the House of Lords, er I mean the Senate. He says he could lose his chairmanship if we don't so we better do as he says. Give the poor guy a break! Vote no on Nov. 2 on Proposition 2 and don't forget to take care of Lisa. One of her kids will be needing a job someday. Curt Liebling North Pole - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake