Pubdate: Sun, 06 Jan 2013
Source: Concord Monitor (NH)
Copyright: 2013 Merridith Young
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/WbpFSdHB
Website: http://www.concordmonitor.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/767
Author: Merridith Young

TIME TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

For the Monitor Monday, January 6, 2014

In the 1980s, a simple statement from Nancy Reagan became popular
among American culture: "Just say no." I believe America needs to
change its view on how we handle drugs (incarceration versus
rehabilitation), and one drug in particular: marijuana.

This month the New Hampshire House will vote on legalizing and taxing
marijuana, similar to the new system in Colorado. Why is this
beneficial? Here are just a couple reasons:

More violence is attributed to alcohol and prescription drug abuse in
the United States than marijuana. Marijuana prohibition costs our
country more than $20 billion a year. Studies have shown the U.S. can
save more than $8 billion a year, while generating more than $8
billion in tax revenue, from legalizing marijuana. There is no
academically accepted evidence that marijuana is a gateway drug. If
legalized, people would know what they're buying and where it's coming
from, reducing the risk of laced marijuana. Worried about minors? They
seem get alcohol rather easily - yet that's legal.

Let's legalize marijuana and put the revenue toward things like
infrastructure, education and rehabilitation? Write your
representatives and Gov. Maggie Hassan. Ignore the propaganda. Educate
yourselves. Show your support for our state to cut our costs and be
part of history in the making. "Just say no" to the unproductive,
expensive war on drugs.

MERRIDITH YOUNG

Loudon 
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