CALIFORNIA: GOING TO POT OR TO SENSIBLE REGULATION?

According to a March 2010 report issued by the California Board of
Equalization, medical marijuana dispensaries in the state generate as
much as $1.3 billion in sales and $105 million in state sales taxes.
Since it is estimated that medical marijuana consumers comprise less
than 10% of the existing marijuana market in California, this total
represents only a fraction of the revenue that will be generated when
this commodity is legalized for all adults over age 21.

It is time to bring long-overdue oversight to a market that is
currently unregulated, untaxed and uncontrolled. Proposition 19
replaces decades of failed marijuana prohibition with a policy of
sensible regulation.

Paul Armentano

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Vallejo, Calif.