LEGALIZATION CAN FINANCIALLY STABILIZE ECONOMY

If the U.S. government were to legalize marijuana, I believe that it
would help financially stabilize our economy. The U.S. government is
making about $7.7 billion from the sale of cigarettes alone. Imagine
how much our government could add to this by legalizing the
production and sale of marijuana.

Drug reporter Bruce Mirken states, "The alcohol poisoning death rate
in the United States is shockingly high, consistently between 300
and 400 a year. It's zero for pot." This proves that alcohol, which
is legal for anyone over the age of 21, is far more dangerous than
marijuana. Legalizing marijuana does not mean that the government
would have no control over the sale and use. I believe that there
should be regulations such as an age limit to buy, and strict DUI laws.

Our country is at a loss for jobs and by legalizing marijuana it
would produce many different jobs. Farmers and factories will
benefit from the legalization. In Nevada alone, over 5,000 people
were arrested on marijuana related charges in 2005. We as tax payers
are wasting our money on locking up people who just have possession
charges, instead of saving it and putting it towards our country's
debt or any other money related problems. I asked for someone else's
opinion, so I interviewed a daycare provider/owner. This was her
take on the issue:

"My personal opinions of "pot" are as follows. I believe with the
country of United States being in the trouble that we are, a
productive way to ease a lot of the problems would be to legalize
the growing and production of marijuana. Pay farmers with land
sitting empty to grow this product, and organize factories
to manufacture cigarettes of marijuana, just like
regular cigarettes. The government could tax the sale
and distribution of this product, and common businesses like gas
stations and carry outs could benefit from the sale. Even those with
actual medical problems that need marijuana (like glaucoma) would no
longer have to get a prescription for pot. The taxes would ease
the country's deficit, would put farmers back to work,
put factories back in small towns, and ease the burden in prisons
from the pot sales. Most studies have proved pot is no more harmful
than alcohol, and alcohol has been linked to many body diseases that
kill humans every day (as w! ell as cigarettes). Make laws that
are similar to alcohol intake. An example would be drinking and
driving. Enforce the same penalties for driving under the influence,
which most states currently have already. This is my opinion only,"
said Deanna Troutwine, aged 46 mother of five and not a current pot smoker.

Heather Healy