Pubdate: Thu, 30 Sep 2010
Source: Cape Cod Times (MA)
Copyright: 2010 Matt Good
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/sbOHSik6
Website: http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/72
Author: Matt Good

ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

I'm pleased logic is slowly making its way into the lives of others 
regarding the legalization of cannabis. It truly is a better idea than 
classifying it as an illicit drug, or decriminalizing it. Keeping cannabis 
illegal gives up all control and regulation of it and leaves it to 
"criminals" to deal with, literally.

With cannabis decriminalized, it's in an odd gray area that just doesn't 
work too well. Law enforcement officials don't really know what to do in 
lots of scenarios, and the tickets that are issued don't need to be paid, 
for now. Our cash-strapped state is losing out on valuable tax dollars for 
the sake of pseudomorality, while OxyContin and Percocet are being sold in 
stores. And we all can see how failed the drug war has been - longest one 
running.

If legalized, it would create jobs, and more revenue for the state, which 
could be used for education, transportation or recreation; but we're 
currently passing up the opportunity, and as they say, this is the land of 
opportunity.

I think it's time we get on the cash cow that is cannabis, duuude.

Matt Good

Falmouth
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D