LEGALIZING MARIJUANA WOULD CRIPPLE DRUG CARTELS

A couple of weeks ago Gov. Jan Brewer made a rather startling, if not
irresponsible, remark that most people crossing the border illegally
from Mexico were drug mules. Though I believe her comments to be
hyperbole and another blatant attempt to pander for political gain,
they have brought to the forefront the obvious link between the
importation of illegal drugs and illegal immigration.

Thank you Gov. Brewer for unwittingly pointing out Arizona's
insatiable desire for recreational drugs, primarily marijuana. Truth
be known, we have created the Mexican drug cartels. They wouldn't
exist, much less be killing each other and scores of innocent people,
if we weren't demanding their drugs.

Who are these cartel customers? They're not just your typical gang
member stereotypes. They are business people, working people, young
people, housewives, students and, yes, Republicans.

For decades we have attempted to cut off the supply of recreational
drugs from south of the border. It's kind of ironic don't you think
that on the one hand we are demanding their drugs and on the other
hand we are screaming "build the dang fence" to stop them from
delivering the goods.

Over the same time period, we have attempted to reduce demand by
"Just Saying No." Hasn't worked. It's time that we faced the fact
that Americans want their recreational drugs. It's time that we
legalized, at the very least, marijuana.

You take away a majority of the demand for recreational drugs from
the drug cartels and they will implode from a lack of business. It's
all about the money.

If the United States allowed private businesses to produce marijuana
in a similar fashion to how we produce alcohol, we would be able to
control the quality and distribution.

In addition to putting the drug cartels out of business, thus ending
the endless cycle of killing, think about the positive impact such a
change would have upon cash-starved state and local governments with
the increased revenue flowing from now collectable sales taxes!

It is human nature to want to do those things that you are told you
can't or shouldn't do. It is my belief that if you take the mystery
and allure away from recreational drug use that over time you will
significantly reduce demand for these drugs. They would become boring
and passe.

A poll of Arizonans released July 9 found 55 percent in favor of
legalizing marijuana. Maybe Bob Marley was right after all. Maybe it
is time to "Legalize It."