Pubdate: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) Copyright: 2004 The Oregonian Contact: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324 Author: Al Hayward Cited: Measure 33 http://www.Yeson33.org Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Measure+33 TURN PROBLEM INTO A PROFIT Measure 33 backers and foes both ignore reality. Nearly 80 percent of the 10,000-plus Oregon medical marijuana card holders become criminals and get their "pot," as do the other estimated 150,000 medical and non-medical users in Oregon, from illegal street sources. Oregon annually spends millions in failed police control of marijuana's growing use. As a nonsmoker, I offer a solution: Quit making criminals richer and patients criminals. Tax and control marijuana like more dangerous alcohol and tobacco. And add billions, now lost, to Oregon state tax revenues. AL HAYWARD Troutdale - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake