Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161
Author: Bret Grove

DRUG WAR TOO LUCRATIVE FOR GOVERNMENT TO END

I agree with Ted Messerlian's letter Feb. 3 regarding legalizing marijuana.

The state of California would literally turn golden again if this 
were to occur, because not only would there be so much savings on the 
arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of nonviolent offenders, but the 
untold millions that would be generated for our state coffers because 
of the regulation and taxation of this No. 1 crop in the state.

However, it would never happen. There is too much of a financial 
interest in the funds now being spent on "funding" eradication 
efforts in foreign countries, like Columbia and Peru.

You have an entire Drug Enforcement Agency employing hundreds, if not 
thousands of people traveling all over the world for this effort.

The equipment they buy and the money they control makes it too 
lucrative for the federal government's contractors and vendors, as 
well as the foreign governments we deal with, not to continually keep 
marijuana labeled as an illegal drug. Think about it. Follow the money.

Bret Grove

Fresno
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