Pubdate: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 Source: USA Today (US) Page: 8A Copyright: 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc Contact: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n899/a01.html Author: Charles T. Comiskey MARIJUANA USE HOLDS RISKS, SUCH AS DRUG ADDICTION In these difficult financial times, I would like to offer a plan that could help ease the tax burdens that the state and federal government are facing. States should legalize marijuana usage by adults. It could bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue each year. Of course, it would have to be regulated the same way alcohol is, including strict testing by employers. This might seem like a radical proposal, but considering how many people smoke marijuana, it really makes sense to finally make it legal and profit from it. It would also put low-level drug dealers out of business and reduce the case loads of law enforcement. Isn't it time to change these archaic laws, as other countries have? Charles T. Comiskey Walton, N.Y. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake