Pubdate: Wed, 07 Apr 2010
Source: Santa Maria Times (CA)
Copyright: 2010 Lee Central Coast Newspapers
Contact: http://www.santamariatimes.com/contact/letter/
Website: http://www.santamariatimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/396
Author: Gary Gall

TAX, REGULATE POT BUSINESS

I am responding to a recent anti-marijuana opinion. Taxing and
regulating marijuana would be a good thing.

Teenagers for decades have stated that marijuana is easier to get than
alcohol and tobacco. The black market does not ask for IDs. Holland
and Portugal have softened their drug laws, and drug use in both of
those countries has dropped way below our ours.

Law enforcement has known this for years, but because federal grants
give $40 billion a year to stamp out marijuana, they sure want their
place at the feeding trough. Law enforcement will fight to keep the
money flowing.

In 3,000 years, no one has ever died form marijuana consumption.
Taxing the biggest cash crop in the state and nation makes good sense.
Taking it away from the black market and putting age restrictions on
it is good.

Tax and regulate marijuana, for control.

Gary Gall

Cambria 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D