Pubdate: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV) Copyright: 2002 Reno Gazette-Journal Contact: http://www.rgj.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363 Author: Howard Grenzebach Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1672/a05.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?162 (Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?163 (Question 9 (NV)) DECRIMINALIZE POT; DON'T MAKE IT LEGAL Craig Bergland writes an interesting letter (Sept. 6), and I agree, in part, with him. He makes a couple of statements that are in conflict. 1. "The worst drugs are ...," and he is quite correct. 2. "Let's tax it! (referring to marijuana)." Oops. On his worst drugs list are alcohol and tobacco. We tax both of those drugs because it is legal to sell them and tax is derived from the sales and sin taxes involved. Because it is legal to sell them, it is also legal to advertise and make these drugs look socially acceptable, as well as make you look more handsome/beautiful and attractive to the opposite sex. Decriminalize, but do not make it legal to sell. Allow people to grow their own and give it away, but do not introduce the profit motive and do not tax it. If you do, you too can be one of the beautiful people and made more successful with the ladies just by buying an advertised (and taxed) brand. Howard Grenzebach Lemmon Valley - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk