WE COULD EASILY FIX CHRONIC 'PROBLEM'

About Michael Phelps' Bong Hit:

Isn't smoking pot illegal? Should Michael be arrested and
incarcerated? I mean, there's absolute proof he broke the law -- a
picture is a very good eyewitness to the crime. Just one hit is a
crime -- just thinking about it is a sin. Actually, I hear the
Richland County sheriff is thinking about charging him as I write.

But then, if you think about it, should there even be a crime in
smoking or having marijuana? What would be the effect if it were
decriminalized and regulated? "Deja-vu all over again" on this subject.

Well, here are a few things it may effect:

1. Obviously, the price would go down exponentially -- it would be
like the price of gas if the CEOs refused their bonuses and took a cut
in pay. I can't even imagine...

2. Many criminals, "MJ Drug Lords" and growers would become unemployed
due to legal availability of product and strict regulation
requirements (same as booze). They couldn't claim unemployment
compensation because the jobs weren't legal in the first place, so the
government is off the hook and can continue with the extremely
expensive bailouts in progress.

3. Thousands of born-agains and conservatives would go nuts for lack
of yet another thing to complain or preach about.

I think, all-in-all, that Michael -- and the rest of the world as well
- -- should be given a break on this one.

Ronald Kleinman

Mountlake Terrace