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
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom