LEGAL MARIJUANA WOULD BE A TAX WINDFALL

Let's finally end the ill-conceived war on both marijuana and our
citizens. There is no better time than today's historic budget crisis
to raise tax revenue and free up wasted police and government resources.

For the record, I do not smoke dope, but those who oppose this idea
will accuse me of such. The morality squad, those shrill opponents of
legalization, always attack and accuse; they seek to control what
others think and do without understanding, compassion or reason. The
second leg of opposition, the law enforcement establishment, is
addicted to drug budgets and jobs like a troubled junkie.

The very reasons for prohibition are as historically stupid as they
are irrational. Marijuana is not nearly as addictive as cigarettes or
as physically harmful as alcohol. It doesn't make you insane, and
users don't overdose. There have been so many lies and distortions
that I doubt drug warriors would even recognize the truth.

America arrests thousands of people for marijuana offenses every year
and spends billions on policing. I won't argue numbers that are too
often manipulated, but I will say that even one person locked up for
possessing marijuana, a drug that three U.S. presidents have admitted
to using, is more hypocrisy than America should tolerate.

Even when marijuana laws are sensibly ignored, their very existence
harms the credibility of the legal system. When some laws are not
enforced (with a wink and a nudge), people lose respect for the law,
just as they should. Since we do not enforce irrational laws, why
should people follow legitimate, sensible regulations?

Marijuana already is de facto legal in a dozen states, yet we still
allow drug profits to go to criminals, gangs and thugs. We criminalize
vast numbers of otherwise law-abiding Americans while at the same time
enriching criminals. Marijuana prohibition has failed.

At this point, I must ask opponents to please stop using that tired
phantom cry of "protecting the children" as an excuse for continuing
our failed drug policy. By making marijuana legal, it will emerge from
the shadows. We will be allowed to hold responsible anyone who
provides marijuana to minors. Let's stop treating adults like
children, turning our entire society into a Disney movie.

I am all for strong penalties for selling marijuana to minors or for
operating under the influence; these are sensible laws that we might
have resources to better enforce once marijuana is legal for adults.

Let's talk turkey: Nevada is broke. We cannot afford that which we
need, and we are unwilling or unable to raise more tax revenue. Legal
marijuana would be a tax windfall. Instead of drug dealers, it is
society and taxpayers who will benefit. We can free up badly needed
public safety resources and start the process of letting nonviolent
drug offenders back into society.

Washington has signaled a willingness to let states decide local
marijuana laws, creating an opportunity for Nevada to lead. No matter
your political affiliation, now is a unique time for bold action.

Edwin Lyngar is a Reno resident and marijuana legalization proponent.