LAWMAKERS SHOULD LEGALIZE AND REGULATE MARIJUANA

Who are we kidding with the war on drugs? It was lost 30 years ago.
All types of drugs are available anywhere in Montana, from the
smallest towns to the largest.

Watching the machinations of the Legislature and the governor makes
me think there is a conspiracy to promote illegal drug use. Drug laws
have created a underground economy by increasing the cost of drugs,
but not affecting the availability.

Marijuana is probably a less dangerous drug than the evening martinis
enjoyed by the legislators. It also has therapeutic applications, as
I am sure the alcohol imbibers argue for their drug.

When the referendum called for legalization, the pent-up demand was
enormous, but not surprising. Users much prefer legal pot for quality
and cost. The state should have taxed and regulated use and
prohibited unregulated distribution.

I decided 40 years ago that I couldn't drink responsibly, so I'm not
going to smoke pot just because it's legal. And I doubt if any new
users were created by the pot law. My 97-year-old mother didn't
start. My granddaughter promptly got a prescription for a substance
she had been using for years.

Tax and regulate. Don't pretend to stop drug use by laws. And have
money available for rehab, because like all drugs, pot is addictive
to certain persons and will be abused.

Ben Brown

Billings