Pubdate: Sat, 12 Mar 2016
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2016 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Mike Walton

LEGALIZE POT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

EDITOR, TIMES-DISPATCH:

In your editorial about the passing of a bill to allow 151proof grain 
alcohol, you mentioned that moonshine and marijuana are off-limits 
because the state can't make money off them. That shows how behind 
the times the General Assembly is.

Legislators should jump all over legalizing marijuana in a hurry. It 
will come sooner or later, so make it sooner. Colorado became the 
first state to make more off taxes on marijuana than alcohol.

The history of the gambling industry shows that you need to be in 
there first and fast. Casino gambling in Atlantic City was big and 
profitable for everyone. Some of the first Indian reservations that 
had casinos did very well. Then other states and tribes got in the 
gaming business and revenues dropped. Look at what a shell the 
boardwalk at Atlantic City is today.

Things move faster nowadays, so the good old boys at the Capitol need 
to step up the pace and legalize marijuana quickly - they can then 
slow down and mellow out after doing so.

MIKE WALTON.

HENRICO.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom