Pubdate: Tue, 23 Feb 2016
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/0n4cG7L1
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Todd Kerrin

WRONG PLACE FOR THIS SALES TAX

The legalization of marijuana, even for strictly medicinal purposes, 
leads to consequences that create serious concerns regarding public 
safety and environmental damage. There's a strong case to be made for 
taxation of the product for the purpose of offsetting the costs 
ultimately borne by society.

But proposing a sales tax that places the revenue into the state's 
general fund is foolish. Additional taxes levied against citizens of 
the state, especially those who are purchasing a product for 
expressly medical purposes, should be wholly set aside to target the 
negative effects from marijuana cultivation.

The general fund is frequently raided by state government that 
rejects the fiscally sane notion of spending less than it collects. 
Don't replenish these poorly managed coffers.

Todd Kerrin, Sacramento
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom