MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION WOULD CURB DRUG CARTELS

A recent article in the Nevada Appeal ("Illegal immigrants present a
creative, sometimes violent challenge," Aug. 24) discussed the fact
that some of Nevada's National Guard troops are currently stationed at
the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. The troops are assisting with the
Border Patrol's efforts to reduce illegal immigration, but they have
also witnessed drug smugglers bringing marijuana into the U.S. from
Mexico - threatening the lives of Border Patrol agents in the process.

This is a classic illustration of the failure of our marijuana laws:
The prohibition of marijuana has led to a profitable criminal market,
which is luring drug cartels across our border. Along the way, they
threaten the lives of our border guards.

Isn't it time we stop allowing criminals to profit from the illegal
sales of marijuana? Through a system of taxation and regulation,
marijuana can be placed into a tightly controlled and regulated market
- - taking money away from Mexican drug cartels, violent gangs and drug
dealers, while generating much-needed tax revenue for our state. The
taxation and regulation of marijuana - which is on the ballot this
November as Question 7 - is a sensible alternative to the failure of
our current marijuana laws.

Patrick Killen

Las Vegas