LEGALIZING MARIJUANA WOULD INCREASE GOVERNMENT REVENUES AND CUT EXPENSES

The state and nation's excessive debt has progressively increased in
recent years. Could legalizing marijuana be a solution?

Marijuana is the third-most-common recreational drug in America, after
alcohol and tobacco, and the usage is steadily increasing, despite
decades of anti-drug advertising campaigns. According to a National
Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2009 there were 2.4 million persons
aged 12 or older who had used marijuana for the first time within the
previous 12 months. We levy sky-high taxes on alcohol and tobacco, so
why are all these potheads getting their buzz on tax-free?

The Marijuana Policy Project at Harvard University estimates a $6.2
billion tax revenue if marijuana were taxed at rates comparable to
alcohol and tobacco. This same study estimates that the government
would save $7.7 billion now wasted on marijuana prohibition
enforcement. This includes costs of Drug Enforcement Agency efforts,
campaigns, advertising, prison costs, etc.

Legalization is not just for long-haired, liberal types. It makes
sense for conservatives and libertarians who want less government
intrusion and more fiscal responsibility. Legalization of marijuana is
a realistic, legitimate policy option. If we, the people of the United
States, really care about our debt and want to make a change, we need
to realize what legalization can do to save our economy.

John Holden

Dublin