THE MARIJUANA OPTION

What if, through elections, the Oregon Legislature and the
governorship were taken over by rabid environmentalists, and these
elected officials outlawed all timber sales.

Now let us suppose the state came into hard times and the citizens
went to these leaders and said, "Please, let us cut some timber - it
will raise some money to pay our bills."

Gov. John Kitzhaber has called a special session of the Oregon
Legislature to "find" nearly $1 billion in either cuts or new
revenues. As we have come into hard times (and they may get harder),
maybe it is time to re-visit the idea of legalizing marijuana.
Legalize it, tax it and raise a billion dollars.

I would be pleasantly surprised if this Legislature and this governor
considered this option. Instead, I am sure they will find a way to
raise property taxes, raise income taxes, raise gas taxes and make
cuts in education, human resources and public safety.

Chris Pender, Eugene