Pubdate: Fri, 30 Dec 2005
Source: New Times (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Copyright: 2005 New Times
Contact:  http://www.newtimesslo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1277
Author: Kirk Muse

ONE SALES-TAX SOLUTION

I'm writing about Chuck Reasor's thoughtful letter: "Sales-tax increases are
rarely 'temporary'" (Dec. 22-29).

Instead of increasing the existing sales taxes, why not tax a product
that is now completely untaxed? Why not tax marijuana? Instead of
attempting to nullify the immutable law of supply and demand, our
government should regulate, control, and tax it. We could easily tax
marijuana at about 90 percent of its retail price. The vast majority
of marijuana's current price is the result of the "prohibition tax"
that now goes to criminals - our government gets nothing.

It seems to me that non-marijuana users would be in favor of taxing a
product that they don't use. Around here, taxing somebody else's vice
is very popular.

Of course, many will proclaim that regulating, controlling, and taxing
the sale of marijuana will "send the wrong message" to our children.

But what message are we now sending to our children by regulating,
controlling, and taxing the sale of tobacco products and alcohol?

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin