Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 Source: Register-Guard, The (OR) Copyright: 2002 The Register-Guard Contact: http://www.registerguard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362 Author: Chris Pender Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) THE MARIJUANA OPTION What if, through elections, the Oregon Legislature and the governorship were taken over by rabid environmentalists, and these elected officials outlawed all timber sales. Now let us suppose the state came into hard times and the citizens went to these leaders and said, "Please, let us cut some timber - it will raise some money to pay our bills." Gov. John Kitzhaber has called a special session of the Oregon Legislature to "find" nearly $1 billion in either cuts or new revenues. As we have come into hard times (and they may get harder), maybe it is time to re-visit the idea of legalizing marijuana. Legalize it, tax it and raise a billion dollars. I would be pleasantly surprised if this Legislature and this governor considered this option. Instead, I am sure they will find a way to raise property taxes, raise income taxes, raise gas taxes and make cuts in education, human resources and public safety. Chris Pender, Eugene - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager