Pubdate: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Page: A10 Copyright: 2010 Lawrence Chamblee 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/n000/a037.html Author: Lawrence Chamblee THE POT PROBLEM No one wants to keep marijuana illegal more than the drug lords. Legalizing and taxing marijuana could put the cartels and the gangs out of the marijuana business - if Proposition 19 passes and the counties wisely use the regulatory powers it is designed to give them. Legalization would take away the huge economic incentive for the terrorism, corruption and killing. It would relieve our law enforcement officers of the burden of busting people for marijuana possession so they can concentrate resources on real crimes. Finally, legalization and taxation would channel the revenue from marijuana taxes into essential public services and help balance California's budget. Lawrence Chamblee West Hollywood - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake