GROWING REALLY A PROBLEM?

Re: Marijuana grow houses.

It strikes me that because these grow houses are using indoor
agriculture methods, the weather is not what makes Southwest Florida a
popular location for this activity. It must be that the demand for the
product is here.

Demand causes the need for supply; not supply causing the demand.

That being the case, the raiding of grow houses is not going to
eliminate the problem of having an illegal drug trade here. Although I
agree with prosecuting the dealers, the other villain is the main
cause of the problem: the user.

So, why not crack down on users? In fact, our public policies have
been easing up on users. The laws affecting users allow very little
punishment. There seems to be an attitude, probably derived from the
1960s, that "recreational drug use" ought to be considered a
personal thing, even if its effect on the community and the individual
is huge and bad.

I conclude, therefore, that a viable solution to this dilemma is to
legalize the use and production of marijuana. If this were done,
government could then regulate the production and tax the proceeds.
Regulation could improve and stabilize the quality and safety of the
product. Taxing would help reduce the pressure on local government.
And best of all, the role of criminals would be eliminated.

It appears we have three choices:

1. crack down hard on users;

2. legalize; or,

3. be content with high crime activity.

I don't have any problem choosing. Do you?

Bailey Geeslin,

Naples