Pubdate: Wed, 07 Apr 2010 Source: Santa Maria Times (CA) Copyright: 2010 Lee Central Coast Newspapers Contact: http://www.santamariatimes.com/contact/letter/ Website: http://www.santamariatimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/396 Author: Gary Gall TAX, REGULATE POT BUSINESS I am responding to a recent anti-marijuana opinion. Taxing and regulating marijuana would be a good thing. Teenagers for decades have stated that marijuana is easier to get than alcohol and tobacco. The black market does not ask for IDs. Holland and Portugal have softened their drug laws, and drug use in both of those countries has dropped way below our ours. Law enforcement has known this for years, but because federal grants give $40 billion a year to stamp out marijuana, they sure want their place at the feeding trough. Law enforcement will fight to keep the money flowing. In 3,000 years, no one has ever died form marijuana consumption. Taxing the biggest cash crop in the state and nation makes good sense. Taking it away from the black market and putting age restrictions on it is good. Tax and regulate marijuana, for control. Gary Gall Cambria - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D