BETTER OFF STONED?

Re "Legalize it?" by Nick Miller (SN&R Frontlines, August
5):

Why would those legally allowed to sell pot be against Proposition 19?
Maybe because allowing private citizens to grow 25 square feet would
prevent a monopoly? Until this allowance is removed from the language
in this bill, it seems there is maybe a conflict of interest.

However, a higher priority has my conspiracy thoughts running, and I
think legalization is a technique to prevent the masses from action.
Arguments tend to mention how mellow weed is compared to other drugs,
claiming people [who use marijuana] are less violent. That's precisely
the reason authority would like us stoned. Imagine how pot smokers
will rebel when all those civil liberties are taken away? What king of
force can defend itself while on dope? I am sure there will not be
much of a resistance.

Additionally, is it not absurd to suggest marijuana is less dangerous
than drinking or smoking? Everyone knows how cigs cause a yellow
filmlike filth on windows, indoors or in vehicles, but resin from weed
is thicker. Just look at the neck of any pipe. So I disagree that pot
is not as harmful, personally.

Further, is it logical to argue the sale of cannabis will eliminate
California's deficit?

No, because as the governor says, "We have a spending problem." As
soon as new revenues are accounted for, these monies will be fought
for by the state unions for other reasons than paying our debts.

The one good thing about weed is that is can slow the mind down, which
might allow some to think clearer, because, in my opinion, weed is
like truth serum. Weed gets some to focus on matters otherwise they
couldn't care less about. Imagine if California was high and the
consumers began thinking of political matters. Wouldn't this ballot
measure defeat what is politically accepted?

Last, it appears as irony in a capitalistic country because a lot of
U.S. workers are obviously unproductive, and marijuana does not seem
to speed labor up. By allowing pot heads, we can be sure to watch more
jobs leaving, as I rarely witnessed people high and efficient at the
same time. Remember a song some years ago that claimed something was
to get done, but then "I got high"? In most cases, I have witnessed
this same non-ambitious action, and it is not smart to allow people to
be motionless.

Legalizing weed is a very lazy Band-Aid-problem prolonger. Maybe the
state ought to charge taxes on Internet sales, since we have lost
millions, if not billons, by shopping online. Or better yet, and
probably more lucrative, would be to allow prostitution. Sex is a
better feeling, and by mandating "safe" sex, the public morale might
increase, along with productivity.

Ron Schmidt

Sacramento