The March 12 article, "State may take over growing medical pot," piqued my interest.

It was hard to believe that Oregon wants to get into the illicit drug business (medical marijuana program) as a way to protect and improve public safety by eliminating private grow sites which are susceptible to burglary and home invasion and to prohibit some licensed growers from selling pot illegally.

However, when I read that House Bill 3274 proposes a $98-per-ounce "tax" to cover operating and security costs, the benefits became crystal clear, especially in these hard economic times.

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