Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jul 2008
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2008 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Mikki Norris

TAX, REGULATE POT FOR SAFER SOCIETY

Let's face it. The marijuana market is here to stay. This means we
have an important choice to make. Do we want commercial marijuana
growers and sellers to be licensed, taxed and regulated in controlled
settings with accountable business practices and an age of consent for
consumers? Or do we prefer illegal growers setting up camp in our
hills and public lands, diverting water from creeks, degrading the
environment, having shootouts with police that threaten community
safety and selling to anyone of any age who has the money, devoid of
any oversight? The choice is ours. Prohibition didn't work before. It
doesn't work now. Choose taxation and regulation for a safer future.

Mikki Norris

El Cerrito
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin