SMOKE AWAY THE DEFICIT

Imagine our state budget if marijuana was legalized in California.

We could levy a high tax on all purchases and balance the budget.

After all, how different is alcohol and the days of Prohibition from
marijuana and our current laws? We know from years of trying to
control its use that we cannot stop people from smoking marijuana,
just as Prohibition didn't stop people from drinking. Criminal
syndicates are making record profits because of selling this product,
just like alcohol in the days of Prohibition.

Imagine a state surplus. We could invest in education and health care
for all Californians. Thousands of people in prison could be
released, and off the taxpayers' dime.

Oh my goodness, this sounds like a new revenue source and a reduction
in spending on prisons! How different is marijuana from alcohol or
cigarettes? Both alcohol and cigarettes are addictive, but all the
experts can prove about marijuana is a potential psychological
dependence. We could treat it the same as alcohol, limiting legal
usage to those over the age of 21.

The bottom line: Let's treat marijuana like alcohol, tax it like a
luxury and balance the budget.

DIANE JOHNSON

Danville