Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 Source: Wall Street Journal (US) Copyright: 2014 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Contact: http://www.wsj.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487 Author: Edward DeLorenzi A BETTER MARIJUANA POLICY WILL LIMIT SOCIETAL DAMAGE Updated Jan. 23, 2014 Mitchell S. Rosenthal's "Let's Not Kid Ourselves About Marijuana" (op-ed, Jan. 10) shows the ignorance and hypocrisy about who's kidding whom. The facts are that people want their vices and most are capable of acting in a responsible manner. There has been and always will be people who abuse things. Some claim it's a gene that causes it and others believe it's a lack in one's constitution that makes them over indulge in illegal drugs, legal drugs, nicotine, alcohol, sex or gambling. Nothing is perfect in a free society. Yes, there are people who are going to be hurt by the legalization of marijuana. There will be a lesser need for police, prison guards, judges and lawyers. Communities will be affected by legalization because they will receive less money from forfeitures, fines and property seizures. States will lose this windfall of hundreds of thousands of dollars that they have come to rely on for the latest police gear, pay raises and pension increases. These shortfalls could be corrected with the taxes that marijuana will bring in. The marijuana laws that existed before legalization were counterproductive and unfair. The new marijuana laws are consistent with alcohol laws and prohibit minors from purchasing it or using it in public. The "Just Say No" or "D.A.R.E." programs have failed and have not stopped minors from using tobacco or illegal drugs. With the taxes derived from cannabis sales, a new program can be instilled that talks about moderation and putting oneself in a safe environment when using a vice. A new law needs to come with a new approach. Instead of using the fear factor, perhaps we should try a dose of reality and stop kidding ourselves. Edward DeLorenzi Jackson, N.J. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom