AL CAPONE'S BUSINESS MODEL

Regarding Froma Harrop's thoughtful July 30 column, "Pot could be gold
for California":

Marijuana will probably remain a criminalized substance because lots
of people, organizations and industries have a vested financial
interest in the status quo of marijuana prohibition. They want
marijuana to remain completely unregulated, untaxed and controlled by
criminals.

Relegalizing marijuana would make it substantially less profitable for
not only growers and sellers, but also for lots of politicians and
members of law enforcement.

The notorious gangster Al Capone had hundreds of politicians and
police officials on his payroll during the 1920s because of
Prohibition.

Shouldn't we assume that the drug cartels of today are following
Capone's business model?

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.