Pubdate: Mon, 01 Sep 2003
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Contact:  2003 The Oregonian
Website: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Mel Prein

TURN POT INTO MONEY-MAKER

The federal government has spent many years and dollars bad-mouthing
marijuana, so many that it won't admit it's wrong. I've seen
documentaries about the negatives of pot, which are few.

Pot should be legalized and decriminalized for adults 21 and
over.

Judicially, marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol. Here is
an example: If a person gets pulled over by police for suspicion of
driving under the influence of intoxicants and fails a field sobriety
test, he takes a urinalysis and get penalized the same as with alcohol
abuse.

America grows too much corn. If the government contracted a group of
farmers to grow marijuana instead, put quality controls in place,
rolled it, packaged it and sold it in liquor stores, I don't think
America would have a budget problem.

The government would make mountains of money on the sales (states
could tax it); save money on incarceration, police and judicial costs
(judges and other court personnel); and free up time for police to
spend on real criminals who harm others (thieves, child molesters,
killers and so on).

Repeal marijuana laws!

Mel Prein,

  Northeast Portland
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek