SUBISIDIZING ORGANIZED CRIME

Re "Still profitable, but not taxed" (SN&R Editorial, January
5):

So the federal government's crackdown on medical-marijuana
dispensaries is boosting profits for illicit growers and depriving
local governments of much-needed revenue. Is this really a good use of
federal resources during an economic downturn? Is subsidizing
organized crime a good thing?

Marijuana-law reform is no longer a third-rail issue. In the 2008
elections, more Massachusetts residents voted in favor of a ballot
initiative decriminalizing marijuana than voted for candidate Barack
Obama. A record 50 percent of Americans now favor full marijuana
legalization and medical marijuana has overwhelming majority support.

Obama knows this. With good reason, he supported states' rights during
his campaign. Obama's betrayal suggests that he is either beholden to
corporate prison-industrial complex interests or on the payroll of
Mexican drug cartels.

Robert Sharpe policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy