WHERE WOULD LEGAL-POT ROAD LEAD?

Re "Governor asks: What if pot's legal and taxed?" (Page A1, May 6):
Facing a budget crisis of epic proportions, Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger is considering the practicality of legalizing
recreational marijuana and taxing its smokers. A new Field Poll
revealed that 56 percent of California registered voters support
legalizing and taxing marijuana.

An analysis by the state Board of Equalization projects California
would collect $1.3 billion a year from tax revenues and a
$50-an-ounce levy on retail sales if marijuana were legal.

This strategy eliminates the "street tax" - essentially, the cost pot
smokers pay for handling illegal substances and the attendant risk
for suppliers and consumers. If marijuana were legalized, consumers
would purchase their weed without the dealer risk and opportunity
costs, but they'd certainly suffer sticker shock when the
$50-per-ounce fee is levied and passed on to consumers.

Once tax-salivating legislators and federal and state bureaucracies
legalize marijuana, how long will it be before they employ the
tobacco strategy: Enlist the health care industry to mandate
FDA-approved pot and start raising more onerous taxes on weed to
discourage use by youths and adults?

- - Ralph W. Conner, Chicago

The Heartland Institute