Pubdate: Wed, 12 May 2010
Source: Eagle-Tribune, The (MA)
Copyright: 2010 The Eagle-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.eagletribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/129
Author: Eleanor  White

TIME TO CONSIDER LEGALIZING POT, HASH

To the editor:

Perhaps it is time for New Hampshire and/or Massachusetts to 
seriously consider legalizing marijuana and hashish for adult 
consumption. Doing so could have a more positive than negative impact 
and less harmful social and individual ramifications than currently 
legal vices like alcohol, cigarettes and gambling.

Legalizing these two by-products of the hemp plant would require 
courage on the part of legislators willing to bring it up in the 
certainty of moral outrage by some, as well as debate and testimony 
by experts, etc. And I am sure they would never be approved without 
some regulation for safety, purity, etc. But if legalized, they could 
provide a lucrative economic opportunity for entrepreneurs to "open 
shop" and sell imported or domestic varieties, increase state 
revenue, free law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes, and 
reduce our prison population (the highest per capita in the world). 
Alcohol is by far more dangerous, and people can and will continue to 
become addicted to anything palliative, unfortunately. However, for 
most individuals it is all about choice, and for the state it should 
be about pragmatism.

Personally, I don't need any more vices than I've had.

Eleanor White

Derry, N.H.