Pubdate: Mon, 11 May 2009
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Bob White Sr.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n495/a12.html

THE HEIGHT OF IGNORANCE

Re "Governor asks: What if pot's legal and taxed?" (Page A1, May 6): 
I am amazed that a state that bans smoking in public places because 
of harmful secondhand smoke would consider legalizing marijuana. Not 
debating the harmful aspects of smoking dope, legalizing it for tax 
dollars seems to me the height of ignorance. If the state wants more 
money, why battle the feds to change the law?

There is a legal source of income that is always ignored because of 
liberal activists: Open offshore drilling for oil. It would take some 
time for oil to be produced, but millions would be put into state 
coffers immediately with the sale of leases. Then production would 
produce income from each barrel pumped. Also, it would reduce our 
need for foreign oil and reduce our gas prices, as the oil would be 
in our state for our use.

Legalization of dope would open a Pandora's box. What's next? 
Cocaine, meth. There is a lot of money in the production of meth. 
Heck, we could have bikers set up meth factories. Create thousands of 
jobs, get tax dollars from sales and the income of employees. We 
could become the dope center of the United States. All this for tax 
dollars to be spent by politicians instead of budget restraints.

­ Bob White Sr., Elk Grove
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart