MARIJUANA TAX IS JUST A WAY TO CASH IN

The March 12 article, "State may take over growing medical pot,"
piqued my interest.

It was hard to believe that Oregon wants to get into the illicit drug
business (medical marijuana program) as a way to protect and improve
public safety by eliminating private grow sites which are susceptible
to burglary and home invasion and to prohibit some licensed growers
from selling pot illegally.

However, when I read that House Bill 3274 proposes a $98-per-ounce
"tax" to cover operating and security costs, the benefits became
crystal clear, especially in these hard economic times.

"Patient safety" is a concern says one legislator.

It "takes medical marijuana off the streets and into a safer and more
secure environment," (pharmacies) claims Rep. Chris Harker (D-Beaverton).

This turnabout from a Legislature which opposed the original voter
initiative is revealing; it's time to cash in. Why don't we just tax
all medications -- legal or not -- and be done with this pretense?

- -- Terry Samuel, Gates