Pubdate: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 Source: Contra Costa Times (CA) Copyright: 2010 Glenn White Contact: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n746/a09.html Author: Glenn White REASONS TO LEGALIZE Marijuana should be legalized for recreational use. There are many reasons but space permits only a few: Marijuana will no longer be a gateway drug to the black market if it is legalized. This will reduce exposure to harder black market drugs. Proposition 86, a tobacco tax, was opposed by law enforcement because law enforcement believed a black market would result from the tax, and law enforcement said black markets increase crime. That being the case, how much lower will crime be with regulated licensed dealers selling taxable marijuana to adults than the current prohibitionist black market distribution system where children sell to other children so gangs can profit and influence their lives? Once legal at the state level, marijuana can also be taxed at the local level. If the Rand Corporation's estimates are accurate and the cost to produce one ounce is $50 then there could be up to $100 tax per ounce and still sell below current prices undercutting black markets and also, perhaps, saving a cop's job in your town. Finally, end the uncomfortable obvious hypocrisy that often accompanies this question: Why is marijuana illegal and tobacco and alcohol legal? Glenn White Dublin - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake