Pubdate: Fri, 3 Oct 2008
Source: Daily Chronicle (DeKalb, IL)
Copyright: 2008 Daily Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.daily-chronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3685
Author: Dan Linn

LAWMAKERS SHOULD REDIRECT APPROACH TO CANNABIS LAWS

Lawmakers should turn to regulating and taxing cannabis to help with
struggling budgets. It is amazing that nobody even mentions or
considers it when it is a budding market ripe to be taxed and
regulated. Currently in its illegal form, drug dealers, organized
crime and large drug cartels financially profit from the sales and
consumption of cannabis. The same was true during alcohol
prohibition.

The time has come for America to end our policy of arresting and
incriminating adults who use marijuana responsibly. Use it recklessly,
endanger others and one should be punished accordingly, but for those
adults who use it responsibly they should be able to purchase it
legally just like alcohol, tobacco or pornography.

Literally, billions of dollars could be made in tax revenue and costs
saved by not arresting and imprisoning these adults. Last year there
were over 800,000 arrests for cannabis, a plant. Imagine how many
people did not get arrested and then consider what so many have said
for years.

Legalize it.

Dan Linn

Executive Director

Illinois NORML

Sycamore
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