Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jan 2016
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
Copyright: 2016 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Author: Morris E. Spector

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA DESERVES SERIOUS LOOK

I am a 90-year-old World War II veteran. When I was a teenager before 
the war, I began hearing of the dangers of marijuana. Now, many years 
later, I still read and hear about local, state and federal 
governments' efforts to eliminate or control marijuana - all of them 
unsuccessful.

However, in the Jan 10 issue of the Press, I read an oped by Sgt. 
Dominic Bucci, a retired 25-year veteran of the N.J. State Police on 
the subject of marijuana, "Legalize pot, put dealers out of 
business." Bucci suggested legalizing it, controlling its contents, 
taxing it and banning its use by those under 21 - just as we do with 
alcohol, tobacco and guns. He is right. It's time to admit that all 
our efforts to control the distribution and use of marijuana have 
failed. Why not try Bucci's suggestion?

Part of the attraction of marijuana is that it is illegal and 
therefore a temptation. Instead of spending time and money pursing 
illegal marijuana distributors and users, use that time and money to 
legalize the drug. Then the legalized product could be examined to 
ensure it contains no additional harmful added ingredients. The sale 
of the legalized product would be taxed, but it would still undercut 
the price of the illegal products.

Without profits from illegal marijuana sales, the gangs that profit 
by selling the illegal drugs would be eliminated. That would make our 
streets and neighborhoods safer and give our police time, energy and 
money to do other important work.

Morris E. Spector

Toms River
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom