SOME ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA ARE VALID

In response to Thomas Elias' April 26 column, "Legalizing Marijuana is
no panacea:"

I agree with him on some points such as the optimistic projection of
revenue from taxation of marijuana. Marijuana is so easy to grow that
the only significant revenue would be from medical marijuana, which is
regulated.

It would not be practical for the drug cartels to fight legal
marijuana dispensaries because of the ease of growing it.

The pharmaceutical industry would not be happy with a legalized
natural drug that cannot be patented and would compete with their
multi-side effect patented drugs, so expect the industry to pump
millions of dollars to fight the passage of this law.

The drug cartels will fight this legalized marijuana law, too, as it
will cut deeply into their profits. Marijuana will be cheaper on the
streets, which in turn will reduce crime associated with high pot prices.

Retired Washington state police chief Norm Stamper, who holds a
doctorate and logged 34 years on the force, endorses legalization of
marijuana. Stamper cites the high costs of enforcement, including
incarceration and misdemeanor cases for possession that are clogging
the courts.

I do not smoke marijuana.

Michael Houda

Prunedale