Pubdate: Fri, 29 May 2009
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald (Hilo, HI)
Copyright: 2009 Hawaii Tribune Herald
Contact:  http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/185
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n558/a10.html
Author: Fred Bilello

If Pot Were Legal ...

I agree with Andrea Tishler's letter, "Legalize marijuana," that was
posted on your May 22 Commentary page.

However, if and when that day ever comes, we should be prepared for an
outbreak of felony crime because those elements within the population
who currently supply illegal drugs would be deprived of their jobs,
and instead of submitting resumes for office work, they would try
other methods in order to support their lifestyles.

Kidnapping and theft come to mind, and law enforcement as well as the
public must be prepared to deal with it.

Revenue from legalized drugs should go to programs of education and
rehabilitation, and authorities would be free to go after nothing but
career criminals, as defined prior to 1937.

In this way, the "war on drugs" would be won because in a way, wars
are won when you neutralize the enemy. In the long run, we would have
a better world, and if we want it done right, we should legalize all
drugs and do it all at once because that's what Machiavelli would recommend.

Fred Bilello

Pahoa
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake