Let's finally end the ill-conceived war on both marijuana and our citizens. There is no better time than today's historic budget crisis to raise tax revenue and free up wasted police and government resources.

For the record, I do not smoke dope, but those who oppose this idea will accuse me of such. The morality squad, those shrill opponents of legalization, always attack and accuse; they seek to control what others think and do without understanding, compassion or reason. The second leg of opposition, the law enforcement establishment, is addicted to drug budgets and jobs like a troubled junkie.

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