Pubdate: Sun, 23 Feb 2014
Source: Providence Journal, The (RI)
Copyright: 2014 The Providence Journal Company
Contact:  http://www.projo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352
Author: Anthony De Luca

R.I. LEGISLATORS HAVE GOOD PLAN TO LEGALIZE POT

I firmly believe it is far better to legalize adult possession and 
private use of marijuana, than to continue down the failed path of 
prohibition (""Bill to legalize, regulate, tax marijuana 
introduced"." Feb. 13). Colorado and Washington are showing us all 
that it can be done responsibly, and, clearly, House Judiciary 
Chairwoman Edith Ajello, and Senate Health and Human Services 
Chairman Joshua Miller are paying attention. They have introduced 
thoughtfully crafted legislation that would allow adults in Rhode 
Island to purchase marijuana from a well-regulated, taxpaying 
business, rather than from a tax-avoiding criminal. Their legislation 
would impose very thorough regulations so the state finally would 
know who is selling marijuana, where it is being sold, and to whom. 
Finally, it would address one of our most pressing public health 
concerns by earmarking 40 percent of revenue, after the cost of 
regulation, to go towards alcohol and drug treatment, prevention, and 
education. Here's hoping this will be the year we end our state's 
foolish, very costly, and often disastrous prohibition of marijuana.

Anthony De Luca

Saunderstown
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