Pubdate: Fri, 11 Nov 2005
Source: Maneater, The (Columbia, MO Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Maneater
Contact:  http://www.themaneater.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1283
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1733.a02.html

MAKE WEED LEGAL AND TAX IT

I'm writing about Robert Sharpe's thoughtful letter "Drugs, bad; drug
war, worse" (Nov. 1). I've been buying beer and wine for more than 30
years, yet I've never been offered a free sample of whiskey, gin,
vodka or any other hard liquor when legally buying beer or wine. And I
don't know of anybody else who has either.

However, when I was a marijuana user, I frequently was offered free
samples of much more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and
methamphetamine by my marijuana suppliers.

If we regulate, control and tax the sale and production of marijuana
and sell it in licensed businesses like we do with tobacco products,
we will close the gateway from marijuana to hard drugs.

Speaking of taxes, it seems to me that non-marijuana users would be
much in favor of taxing a product that they don't use. Around these
parts, taxing someone else's vice is very popular.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin