Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jul 2010
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2010 East Valley Tribune.
Contact: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/page/letter_to_the_editor
Website: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Jon Beydler
Note; Jon Beydler is a 32-year Valley resident and the former mayor 
of Fountain Hills who now lives in Chandler.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA WOULD CRIPPLE DRUG CARTELS

A couple of weeks ago Gov. Jan Brewer made a rather startling, if not 
irresponsible, remark that most people crossing the border illegally 
from Mexico were drug mules. Though I believe her comments to be 
hyperbole and another blatant attempt to pander for political gain, 
they have brought to the forefront the obvious link between the 
importation of illegal drugs and illegal immigration.

Thank you Gov. Brewer for unwittingly pointing out Arizona's 
insatiable desire for recreational drugs, primarily marijuana. Truth 
be known, we have created the Mexican drug cartels. They wouldn't 
exist, much less be killing each other and scores of innocent people, 
if we weren't demanding their drugs.

Who are these cartel customers? They're not just your typical gang 
member stereotypes. They are business people, working people, young 
people, housewives, students and, yes, Republicans.

For decades we have attempted to cut off the supply of recreational 
drugs from south of the border. It's kind of ironic don't you think 
that on the one hand we are demanding their drugs and on the other 
hand we are screaming "build the dang fence" to stop them from 
delivering the goods.

Over the same time period, we have attempted to reduce demand by 
"Just Saying No." Hasn't worked. It's time that we faced the fact 
that Americans want their recreational drugs. It's time that we 
legalized, at the very least, marijuana.

You take away a majority of the demand for recreational drugs from 
the drug cartels and they will implode from a lack of business. It's 
all about the money.

If the United States allowed private businesses to produce marijuana 
in a similar fashion to how we produce alcohol, we would be able to 
control the quality and distribution.

In addition to putting the drug cartels out of business, thus ending 
the endless cycle of killing, think about the positive impact such a 
change would have upon cash-starved state and local governments with 
the increased revenue flowing from now collectable sales taxes!

It is human nature to want to do those things that you are told you 
can't or shouldn't do. It is my belief that if you take the mystery 
and allure away from recreational drug use that over time you will 
significantly reduce demand for these drugs. They would become boring 
and passe.

A poll of Arizonans released July 9 found 55 percent in favor of 
legalizing marijuana. Maybe Bob Marley was right after all. Maybe it 
is time to "Legalize It."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom