Pubdate: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 2014 Globe Newspaper Company Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340 Website: http://bostonglobe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: Andy Gaus THINK SMALL WHEN LEGALIZING MARIJUANA Thanks to the Globe for an insightful editorial about the ways that marijuana legalization could go wrong. ("Pay-to-play allegations hold lessons for pot advocates," Nov. 20). Many of us who favor legalization beyond medicinal use worry that we will end up with a system where a few deep-pocket players can use the law to shut out competition. Two issues are crucial: First, legalization must include a generous home-grow provision. Consumers should not be forced to pay store prices or face a SWAT team at 3 a.m. if they grow their own. Second, taxes and licensing fees must not be so high that they shut out small businesses and perpetuate the black market. Any future ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana should respect these guidelines. Andy Gaus Boston - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom