Pubdate: Thu, 30 Apr 2009
Source: Guardian (Wright State U, OH Edu)
Copyright: 2009 Guardian
Contact: http://www.theguardianonline.com/2.9150
Website: http://www.theguardianonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4586
Author: Robin Heinrich
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n427/a06.html

LEGALIZATION!! BUT HOW?

In the past days I have read many opinions on the topic of 
legalization marijuana. "Finance the bailout; Legalize weed" was an 
article [editorial] in the Guardian on April 7th, 2009, in which the 
author talked about how the legalization of marijuana could be an 
opportunity to lower enforcement costs but raise money by taxing the 
drug.  I agree, but I was thinking about how taxing a plant would be 
possible. Since marijuana grows from a seed it is not possible to be 
monopolized, therefore the decriminalization needs stricter regulations.

If legalized, the drug would have to be sold in stores, which would 
have to be supplied by licensed growers that would have to report to 
the government who the grower is and how much they supply in order to 
stop the import of the substance from other countries. Since 
marijuana can be grown in backyards, barns, and even inside, there 
has to be a limit of how much an individual is allowed growing for 
personal usage; otherwise the taxation will not be successful. Even 
if decriminalized, there will be people who will grow or import it to 
make money without paying taxes, which will have to be penalized. I 
agree with Sarah Reiff that people would have to get educated just as 
people getting educated about alcohol and cigarettes; but I think the 
costs for that would be a reasoned spending because teenagers will 
smoke the drug uneducated. Having our children educated about the 
substance might have the result that the rate of people smoking it, 
will go down.

13 States in the US have legalized medical marijuana and many more 
are in the process. In my opinion, being able to decide for yourself 
if you want to smoke weed or not, is liberty. Liberty was an 
enlightened concept and a major point for our founding fathers.

"Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking 
hemp and observing as far as my eye can see." Thomas Jefferson, 1781.

Robin Heinrich
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom