Pubdate: Wed, 20 May 2009
Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Merced Sun-Star
Contact: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/284
Website: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2546
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

IT'S TIME TO TALK POT

The Governor Is Right to Propose a Debate on the Merits of Legalizing 
Marijuana but His Motive Is All Wrong.

On the subject of legalizing marijuana, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is right.

And he's wrong.

The governor, who is nothing if not flamboyant, grabbed headlines 
recently by saying it's time for a debate on the question of 
legalizing and taxing marijuana.

"Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's 
time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas 
of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And 
I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are 
doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs. What effect did 
it have on those countries?"

With a bill to legalize and tax marijuana having been introduced in 
the Legislature, and with a recent Field Poll showing 56 percent of 
registered voters in favor of legalizing and taxing marijuana to 
raise revenue for the state, a debate is in order.

But the prospect of raising an estimated $1.34 billion by taxing pot 
is not the reason to initiate such a debate.

No, the reason to begin the debate is the demonstrable failure of the 
nation's drug laws.

Two decades of the "war on drugs" have failed to dry up the American 
market for illegal drugs. Instead, that effort has filled the 
nation's prisons, while the continuing market for drugs has fueled 
violence in both this country and Mexico.

That is the context in which Americans -- not just Californians -- 
should debate questions such as legalizing marijuana.

We are adamantly opposed to even considering legalizing cocaine, 
methamphetamine and heroin because of their tragic consequences, 
although the current system of prohibition and enforcement is not 
working and seems unsustainable.

But marijuana is in a different category.

While it may be a gateway to more deadly drugs, the same might be 
said of alcohol, which produces many of the same effects as pot and 
certainly is a factor in more deaths each year.

That doesn't mean we're ready to say marijuana should be legalized. 
But it warrants discussion, so give the governor credit and let the 
debate begin.

As Californians join the discussion, they should keep the larger 
picture in mind. A billion dollars in tax revenues won't make much of 
a dent in California's budget.

And it's small potatoes compared with what's at stake as the nation 
tries to come to grips with its boundless appetite for getting high 
and the incredible costs of that appetite. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake