AN ECONOMIC BOOST?

With the economy in the tank, tax revenues dropping like a stone and the
lack of new businesses and opportunities appearing on the Big Island, it
was refreshing to read in the paper recently that state Sen. J. Kalani
English is considering what any sensible elected representative of the
people should be expected to do to generate new revenue.

All of us who live in Hawaii know the role marijuana plays here, whether
you partake of the herb or not. It obviously is not going away and is
thought by many to be the least destructive of today's lifestyle choices.

Think of the new businesses and young men and women who would be starting
dispensaries or seed shops upon the day it was legalized. Tourism would
skyrocket, and crime would show a marked decrease.

Does anyone think that Amsterdam is thought of as a poor tourist destination?

Let's do as a state what needs to be done to make sure our keiki, mentally
ill and elderly do not continue to suffer the consequences of having
leaders who are afraid to lead.

Kudos to Mr. English, and let's all get behind him. Let's take our
collective heads out of the sand.

Ray LeGendre

Pahoa