Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 2009
Source: Telescope, The (CA Edu)
Contact: http://www.the-telescope.com/home/lettertotheeditor/
Copyright: 2009 The Telescope
Website: http://www.the-telescope.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5020
Author: Sara Burbidge
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA, STOP THE CARTELS

If the United States decriminalized marijuana, the majority of the Mexican
cartels' funding could dry up, effectively stopping much of the violence
in our southern borders.

Seventy percent - or $38 billion - in profit is going to the Mexican drug
cartels from the sale of marijuana.

While legalization, which would not only make pot legal but also regulate
and tax the drug, is the better policy, decriminalization, which reduces
the criminal penalties, would be a good compromise.

In turn, it might create better relations between the United States and
Mexico.

The violence crossing over the border proves we live in a global
community. By decriminalizing marijuana, crime rates might drop and people
on both sides of the border might not have to live in fear any longer.

If the drug cartels weren't able to operate it might give the Mexican
people a chance to invest in their own country and create better lives
there.

Not only would decriminalization reduce violence but it would pump $27
million back into the economy, even without legalizing marijuana.

A recent announcement by Attorney General Eric Holder saying the federal
Drug Enforcement Agency will no longer bust medical marijuana dispensaries
leads one to think the current administration will have a more open drug
policy. It may not legalize marijuana but at least decriminalize the drug.

Legalization won't happen anytime soon. But in 20 to 30 years, when our
generation is in power, a larger percentage of people will have gotten
used to the idea of legalization and will have tried pot.

Regulation and taxation would create jobs and the money the federal
government is spending on marijuana busts could be put toward better
causes, like education.

The government taxes all kinds of things. If you want to smoke up your
brain cells that's your business.

It's not the government's job to mandate what is good or bad for a citizen.

If that was the case, alcohol, tobacco and tanning beds would be illegal.