POT AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Re "Should we tax pot?" Opinion, Dec. 4

Patt Morrison says legalizing marijuana wouldn't necessarily eliminate
pot-related crime because there still might be a black market -- as
there is with legal alcohol and tobacco. Though that may be true,
without question the majority of the criminal market would disappear.

What consumer wouldn't be willing to pay a slight premium for the
convenience of purchasing marijuana from a safe and regulated facility
instead of running the risk of being hurt or killed in an illegal drug
deal on the streets?

As a former Oakland community prosecutor, I certainly would never
argue that marijuana is completely benign or that more people should
use it. But what I do know is that the most dangerous thing about
marijuana is that it's illegal.

Public safety will be improved immensely when we bankrupt most of the
criminals who control marijuana cultivation and profits.

James Anthony

Oakland