WHAT WOULD BE THE EFFECTS OF LEGALIZING AND TAXING MARIJUANA?

It was refreshing to read Howard J. Wooldridge's letter in The Gazette
on Sept. 16 ("Drug dealers only fear legalization"). The analogy
between the huge increase in crime prompted by the prohibition of the
consumption of alcoholic beverages with the criminal marketing of
illicit drugs never seems to be discussed.

Obviously, the consumption of these drugs has negative consequences on
the individuals involved as well as to society in general. But just
what would be the consequences of legalizing (and taxing) marijuana?

Just what effect would it have on the consumption of this
drug?

There really needs to be a much stronger justification for the
policies in place, and a realization that the enforcement of these
policies uses significant law enforcement resources better employed
elsewhere.

Jeffrey W. Watthey, Frederick