UP IN SMOKE

We're sure desperate times call for desperate measures. "Hey man, how
'bout a turbo-supercharger hit of revenue?" That's probably what the
Oregon Legislature is thinking. Since Oregonians have approved the
medical marijuana law - to heck with regulating it. Go for the money.
Let's grow it. Sell it. And here's the part they all love. Tax it.

Behold House Bill 3247. It takes the simple cottage industry of drug
dealing to a new level. Under the guise of "providing adequate
safeguards for citizens" and "moving quickly to protect patient
safety," the bill puts Oregon in the pot business. The state would
establish and operate a marijuana production facility. Then
distribute their stash to pharmacies. Of course, there will be a $98
per ounce tax on it.

"What's da matter man? Don't you wanna get high?" Well, no. We doubt
the amount of medical marijuana distributed will pay for the farm and
all the bureaucratic baggage. "If passed into law, this legislation
will implement safe standards to dispense the drug through a tightly
controlled system." That'll cost a bunch - and then there's the
matter of security. You can bet it'll be a 24/7 affair.

But maybe we aren't looking at this correctly. If the state
established a standard for pot, maybe some commercial opportunity
would present itself. After all, we're coming up on a biennium budget
bust. Our motor home industries are on the ropes. We could
manufacture "recreational vehicles" for special resale values. Or
just blatantly establish a "gold" standard for grass. Lord knows
Oregon is famous for growing grass.

However, we are dealing with the government here. And there are
reasons we wouldn't drink a government beer. It would probably be
lousy. "Seeds and stems again, man." We compare this pipe dream based
on a "safer and more secure environment" to reefer madness. Send it up in smoke.