SHOULD ALL MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED?

On Nov. 2 California voters will decide whether the sale of marijuana
should be legalized for general use. Proposition 19 would go beyond
the current law that legalizes marijuana for medical use.

Proposition 19 would allow people who are at least 21 years old to
"possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for personal use."

It would permit local governments to regulate and tax commercial
production, distribution and sales of marijuana for people 21 and older.

Possessing marijuana on school grounds or smoking the weed in public
when minors are present would be prohibited.

Driving while under the influence of marijuana would continue to be
prohibited.

And it would "limit employers' ability to address marijuana use to
situations where job performance is actually impaired."

According to the legislative analyst, passage of Proposition 19 would
bring in much-needed tax revenue - tens of millions of dollars
according to one estimate. Long Beach wants a piece of that pie, if a
proposed measure on the November ballot was approved by the City
Council. And tens of millions of dollars would be saved if marijuana
users weren't jailed.

Makes perfect sense to us. What do you think?

Each Wednesday we invite readers to give us your opinions, pro and
con, on a topic in the news.

This week's questions:

If this were election day, how would you vote on Proposition 19? Do
you think tax revenues would be in the tens of millions of dollars, or
do you think many users would simply grow their own marijuana, thus
bypassing the tax man. Would legalizing marijuana lead to more or less
criminal activity?

Please e-mail your responses to speakout@presstelegram.com. Include
your name, city and age. Respones will appear Monday on the Editorial
page.