Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2014 Chico Enterprise-Record Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861 Author: Bruce Baldwin LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA WOULD HAVE HIDDEN COSTS I appreciated the points raised in a recent letter regarding local taxation of marijuana. The writer made good points on both sides of the issue. I believe that even if pot is taxed it will cost the taxpayers money, as a quick look at legal drugs indicates. Federal excise taxes collected on alcohol average around $9 billion; states collected around $5.5 billion. Combined, these amounts are less than 10 percent of the estimated $185 billion in alcohol-related costs to health care, criminal justice, and the workplace in lost productivity. Tobacco is even worse. The CDC estimates that we spend more than $200 billion on the social costs of smoking each year, but only about $25 billion is collected in taxes. You and I make up the difference. Whether pot is taxed or not legalization will lead to increased consumption and increased social costs. I hope voters will get the facts before voting on issues of legalization and for candidates using pot as a campaign platform. Whether weed is legalized, decriminalized or remains illegal, there is clear evidence that it is very damaging to young brains. Any law or candidate that doesn't clearly state plans for increased youth prevention efforts will ultimately cost us all. - - Bruce Baldwin, Butte Valley - --- MAP posted-by: Matt