Pubdate: Sun, 26 Sep 2010
Source: Contra Costa Times (CA)
Copyright: 2010 Albert J. Rothman
Contact:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n746/a09.html
Author: Albert J. Rothman

BE REASONABLE

How much longer must we try to legislate morality? It never worked
with alcohol, and it will ultimately fail with marijuana. There are
many users, and they should be allowed to use a drug that is much less
dangerous than alcohol.

Other advantages: the state can collect taxes on legalized pot, and we
can save the cost of drug prosecutions, including punishment of users
for nonserious "crime." We can then use limited police availability
for serious crimes -- theft, violence and murder.

I am not a pot user, but I own remote country land where pot growers
sneak in to plant. The sheriff can't keep up with them, but it is a
hazard for me when I visit my place. The growers are of course armed
and dangerous.

Please let us be reasonable and legalize recreational
marijuana.

Albert J. Rothman

Livermore
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake