Pubdate: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Page: A29 Copyright: 2010 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/bc7El3Yo Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10.n207.a11.html Author: Calvina Fay MARIJUANA MEASURE If Californians think legalizing and taxing pot will solve their economic woes, they should think again. The increased billions in health and social expenditures related to expanded marijuana use would be more than any revenue generated. By far the most compelling economic argument against the taxation of marijuana is the skyrocketing societal cost. We have seen and paid for the effects tobacco and alcohol have had on society. Judging from past experience, marijuana would follow the same path. Marijuana entrepreneurs and supporters of this campaign don't care about California residents or California's most valuable resource -- its children. They are in this to make money and to profit off the innocent. If passed, this initiative will lead to the destruction of neighborhoods. It will lead to more domestic violence and child abuse. It will lead to more addiction. Calvina Fay Seminole, Fla. The writer is executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake