MARIJUANA: PRO AND CON

Editorial writers are famous for their balance - sort of. On the one
hand, we see the positive side of an issue. On the other hand, we see
the negatives. After all is said, though, we sometimes come to a
conclusion and actually state an opinion.

Now we're inviting you to do the same - sort of.

Each Wednesday we'll ask readers to give us your opinions - pro or con
- - on a topic in the news. This week it's marijuana. First some background.

In 1996, voters approved Prop. 215, which legalized marijuana for
medicinal uses. In the years since then, marijuana cooperatives have
sprouted - it's estimated that Long Beach has 85 pot shops. Soon that
will be trimmed back to 35 when a lottery is held. But not before some
tight restrictions on location, along with hefty fees and possible
taxes for permits and operation.

As it stands, any adult can get a "recommendation" (wink-wink) for
marijuana for a medical use only. But "medical use" is pretty
ambiguous, which is why pot shops have sprouted like, well, weeds.

In November, voters will be asked whether they favor legalizing
recreational marijuana. Some fear the sky will fall if Proposition 19
is approved; others feel that if the drug were made legal, the state
could collect much-needed tax revenue - an estimated $1.3 billion.

On the one hand, we think marijuana should be legal for use by any
adult. On the other hand, we're skeptical about the tax issue. Will
large growers in Northern Advertisement California, not to mention
consumers, readily pay taxes on a commodity that so far has been tax-free?

Here comes the question:

Do you favor legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana?

Please do as we say, and not as we do, by taking either a strong pro
or con position. We welcome slightly longer comments, too.

Send your comments by e-mail only to question@presstelegram.com by 5
p.m. Thursday. We'll publish as many comments as space allows Monday
on this page.