LEGALIZED POT WON'T SOLVE CALIFORNIA'S PROBLEMS

Dear editor, I had a great time reading the paper on Monday.
California politics is always extremely entertaining. "California
divided on legalization of marijuana cash crop" (Sept. 27) was one of
the best. The funniest part for me is the notion that legalizing and
taxing marijuana would help California dig out of our economic black
hole.

Proposition 19 supporters are supposing that our politicians will not
continue to spend more tax money than we take in. Oh. You're killing
me.

That's a good one! Hey, bulletin for you: If everyone can grow 25
square feet of pot garden, why would anyone buy it? And, if we are
growing it ourselves, who is going to pay taxes on it? I grow
tomatoes, will I have to start paying taxes on my tomatoes? Oh wait,
it's not food, you can't tax it. "But it's an ingredient in my brownies!"

Speaking of brownies, I have a great slogan for Proposition 19
supporters: "Vote for Prop. 19, because we're not fat and stupid
enough already!"

My guess is that the smart money is buying stocks in Hostess, Keebler
and other snack companies. That's where the state could reel in some
serious taxes. Snack cakes, Ding-Dongs, Ho-Hos. With the projected
obesity rate of 86 percent by 2030, this should help keep us on track.

It seems that we already have bad memories, and the stuff isn't even
legal yet. Remember the studies linking marijuana use to lung damage,
lazy confused sperm, no motivation, and oh yeah, memory loss?

Once again, California is courageously leading the nation. I think the
governor had it right when he said that we'd be a laughingstock if we
passed this proposition. You can't get much more comic relief that
politics in California. But this one, oh yeah, this one is a
side-splitter. Legalize pot, and pay down the debt! You're killing
me!

David Coulombe / Napa