THE MARIJUANA DEBATE: WELCOME PROGRESS

From Maine to California, muddled thinking over the use of marijuana,
medical and otherwise, finally is beginning to clear, giving way to
reason over its future use.

Fourteen states are moving to decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana. In Maine, residents have overwhelmingly voted
to allow the sale of medical marijuana over the counter. And in
California, signatures are being collected to put legalization
before voters next year.

It's estimated that taxing and regulating pot, much like cigarettes
and alcohol, could raise $1.3 billion in California alone.

In Los Angeles, where medical marijuana dispensaries have opened,
experts say more violence stems from its prohibition than from its
use.

From federal regulators to the American Medical Association, the
mind-set over marijuana's use gradually is changing -- and for good
reason. Notes a spokesman for one marijuana advocacy group,
"(T)here's a reason you don't have Mexican beer cartels planting
fields of hops in the California forests."

As we've stated before, the production and use of marijuana should be
fully legalized with the same prohibitions against use by minors. The
only "refer madness" is to continue the indefensible status quo that
costs taxpayers billions in related enforcement costs while funding
organized crime and violence on a massive scale.