LEGALIZE POT TO REDUCE VIOLENCE

In the article detailing another marijuana prohibition-linked tragedy, "Two
Men To Be Charged In Murder" (Wednesday), Robb Hale, the cases lead
investigator is quoted, "This was a tragedy that should not have occurred."
Hale is correct. Were it not for the fact that marijuana prohibition has
made a humble weed more valuable than gold, Nathaniel Divine would still be
alive while Ben Napier and Tekeith Tate would not be facing spending the
rest of their lives locked away in prison at a cost to taxpayers approaching
$30,000 per year.

The United States experienced similar violence during alcohol prohibition.
Once it was repealed, the violence disappeared. Marijuana
prohibition-related murders have become a regular occurrence in Madison.
Lawmakers allow this carnage to continue by failing to regulate marijuana
like alcohol and tobacco. And everyone pays for it.

Gary Storck, Madison