DON'T WASTE MONEY ON MARIJUANA ARRESTS

In a faltering economy, wasteful spending does not go unnoticed. So
when I heard of a recent Drug Enforcement Agency bust for marijuana,
I was upset to see that the U.S. government is still devoting its
resources to this cause.

Marijuana is no more dangerous than tobacco or alcohol. It even has
some important medical uses. Medical marijuana has been legalized in
several U.S. states. However, it remains illegal under federal law.
The DEA can and does shut down operations and prosecute individuals
who are permitted to grow and distribute marijuana according to their
state's guidelines.

Legalizing marijuana would free up money spent in the unnecessary
investigation and prosecution of these individuals. It would allow
the DEA to focus on more dangerous elements of the drug trade.

Like cigarettes, the government would certainly impose high taxes on
the sale of marijuana. With a $800 billion stimulus package in the
works and a $10 trillion deficit to repay, taxes on marijuana could
help supply the U.S. government with the funds they are in desperate
need of ­ not to mention the new businesses that would form as a
result of legal marijuana. With the economy in the dumps, new
businesses would certainly be a great asset.

It is time for citizens and lawmakers to overcome the notion that
marijuana is immoral and unhealthy. It just might be the solution to
some of our bigger problems.

Jill Sherman

TOMS RIVER