LEGALIZE POT, BUT DON'T MAKE ME PAY FOR DAMAGE

This past week or so, a story about Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson,
D-Seattle, introducing legislation to legalize marijuana appeared in
newspapers. The movement to legalize marijuana isn't new, and I can't
say I'm surprised. But I was surprised to hear our local radio station
running a survey on the legislative proposal to legalize marijuana. I
guess I was also surprised by their results.

I'm old enough to remember when we rarely saw marijuana here, and the
quality of it was more like dried weeds when we did. I miss those days.

I remain opposed to legalizing drugs, but I have evolved. So now I'm
willing to let those who see this as A-OK, no problem, and the end of
our states financial problems, do what they want -- as long as I don't
have to pay a dime for anything associated with it.

Those who think this is the answer to our problems are fooling
themselves. We will be trading one series of problems for another.
Jails won't empty and we won't need fewer cops. Somehow this will all
have to be regulated and it can't be done without a bunch of new
regulators and regulations. There will still be costly problems.

We continue to provide education and prevention programs which some
say have all been a waste. I don't agree. In fact, I can't believe
there is anyone left who doesn't understand using marijuana (and other
drugs) has risks.

Supposedly, the force behind this movement is money. The argument is
if we'd just legalize and tax marijuana, that will solve our financial
problems. That's nonsense. The high taxes on both cigarettes and
alcohol don't cover the problems created. In fact, in the same story,
the reason given for legalization is to cover the declining revenue
for alcohol and tobacco prevention and treatment programs. That seems
to confirm the costs are beyond what those taxes bring in. Only
government calls that a money-maker.

And legalizing and taxing marijuana won't help. It will add people to
the problem and cost us money, money we don't have. But if we are
willing to do anything to raise money, why stop there? There are other
bad habits and ideas we could use for that; say, prostitution? Oh
wait, Nevada's economy is really in the dumps, so that won't help.

Maybe this is all more a spending problem and legalizing drugs doesn't
really help with that?

The false premise continues when they say things like, if they pass
this, people will go to the liquor store and buy it. Why would they
when anyone with dirt, doo-doo, and light can grow it? Most won't, so
just be honest. Legalize it if you want, just don't tell us it's going
to make money or be a good idea.

Remember, we have substance abuse prevention and treatment programs
currently funded by sin taxes now, and they are losing money.

Is legalizing marijuana to raise money to cover current prevention and
treatment program shortages, plus the new problems from marijuana, the
answer? Yeah, that makes sense. Just like you can add millions to
health care without affecting care, adding cost or needing more
doctors. That just doesn't add up -- unless you're spending other
people's money.

So to those who think this is a good idea, fine. But I expect the
legislation to be written so I don't have to pay for it -- nothing. And
then when it doesn't work, don't come to me with your problem and want
more for your self-inflicted issues, whatever they may be.

You alone are responsible for what happens.

That doesn't seem to be too much to ask.

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives
outside Chehalis.