Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 Source: New York Daily News (NY) Copyright: 2013 Daily News, L.P. Contact: http://www.nydailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/295 Author: John C. Liu LIU: HIGH TIME TO LEGALIZE WEED Manhattan: We read your story on the failed drug war ("82% of Americans say U.S. is losing the 'war on drugs,'" Aug. 20) with interest, especially the finding that more Americans support the legalization of marijuana than oppose it. Last week, we proposed a plan to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana for personal use by adults in New York City. Our city's misguided war on marijuana has damaged too many lives, especially in the minority communities that have borne the brunt of enforcement. Combined, blacks and Hispanics make up 45% of marijuana users here but account for 86% of possession arrests, while whites constitute 42% of users but only 11% of arrests. Regulating marijuana would keep thousands of New Yorkers out of the criminal justice system, offer relief to those suffering from painful medical conditions and sap the dangerous underground market that targets our children. And the $400 million in annual revenues generated by the regulation of marijuana could be used to halve the CUNY tuition for city residents. John C. Liu, New York City controller - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom