Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2014 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Author: Elizabeth Colon Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n922/a04.html THE TAXATION OF NEW POT SHOPS Re "Mixed messages on pot shops," Editorial, Dec. 16 The Times correctly criticizes the city of Los Angeles for continuing to collect business taxes from new pot shops that are actually not allowed to be open under Measure D. Kudos to City Council members Nury Martinez and Jose Huizar for their call to stop issuing tax certificates to such dispensaries. Indeed, the purported confusion about medical marijuana well reflects how pot is profitable for a few while costing society at large. Drug addiction is a serious health issue, and having it be addressed as such is crucially needed. All drugs should be decriminalized and drug addiction treated like the health issue it is. Furthermore, the decriminalization of drugs would effect a precipitous drop in violent crime globally. Elizabeth Colon Santa Barbara - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom