Pubdate: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2010 Benjamin Attard Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Benjamin Attard PROHIBITION HAS NEVER WORKED Re: Billionaire gives $1M in fight to legalize pot, Oct. 27 Recognition and applause needs to be given to George Soros as well as the other supporters and sponsors of Proposition 19 in California. Although their motives might not be as philanthropic as they would have us believe, changes need to be made. The fallacy that is the "war on drugs" is costing the American taxpayer $40 billion per year while having little to no effect. In addition, $14 billion is spent annually to house non-violent drug offenders, who make up 20-25 per cent of the total, already overcrowded prison population. Past experience has shown that prohibition simply does not work. The legalization and taxation of cannabis would drop crime rates dramatically while taking in countless billions of dollars in tax revenue. In 2009 alone, the U.S. government collected more than $20 billion in taxes from alcohol, tobacco, firearms and ammunition. Benjamin Attard, Cameron, Ont. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D