Pubdate: Mon, 09 Feb 2009
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Diane Johnson

SMOKE AWAY THE DEFICIT

Imagine our state budget if marijuana was legalized in California.

We could levy a high tax on all purchases and balance the budget.

After all, how different is alcohol and the days of Prohibition from 
marijuana and our current laws? We know from years of trying to 
control its use that we cannot stop people from smoking marijuana, 
just as Prohibition didn't stop people from drinking. Criminal 
syndicates are making record profits because of selling this product, 
just like alcohol in the days of Prohibition.

Imagine a state surplus. We could invest in education and health care 
for all Californians. Thousands of people in prison could be 
released, and off the taxpayers' dime.

Oh my goodness, this sounds like a new revenue source and a reduction 
in spending on prisons! How different is marijuana from alcohol or 
cigarettes? Both alcohol and cigarettes are addictive, but all the 
experts can prove about marijuana is a potential psychological 
dependence. We could treat it the same as alcohol, limiting legal 
usage to those over the age of 21.

The bottom line: Let's treat marijuana like alcohol, tax it like a 
luxury and balance the budget.

DIANE JOHNSON

Danville
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom