Pubdate: Wed, 05 Oct 2005
Source: Arizona Daily Wildcat (AZ Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Arizona Daily Wildcat
Contact:  http://wildcat.arizona.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/725
Author: C. A. Mason
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1571/a03.html

LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA WOULDN'T DRIVE PRICES UP

I'm only going to concern myself with one aspect of David Shultz's
poorly reasoned column ("Blame drug suppliers, not users"), and that
concerns his assertion that the price of Cannabis would "skyrocket" if
legalized. This is completely absurd. It is quite obvious that David
has done no research concerning the ease in which the plant is grown.

Cannabis' relatively high price - $50 for one-eighth of an ounce - is
a reflection of what the market can currently bear under the current
prohibition system. During alcohol prohibition, the price of alcohol
rose in relation to the risks involved in its production, sale, and
distribution.

The same is true of cannabis. It costs pennies to grow, much less than
other plants now legally sold, in fact.

The last time I checked, my father was not feeding his cattle
$350/ounce hay. However, certain sin taxes and other fees would
undoubtedly be placed on his sale, but such costs would not drive the
price up to current levels. The market would not bear it. Absolutely
no way. Besides, if it were legal, many would grow it themselves,
because, like I said earlier, it is extremely easy to do.

C. A. Mason

Texas A&M University
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake