Pubdate: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 Source: Santa Maria Times (CA) Copyright: 2008 Lee Central Coast Newspapers Contact: http://www.santamariatimes.com/contact/letter/ Website: http://www.santamariatimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/396 Author: Bill Denneen MARIJUANA'S TAXING VALUE The so-called "War on Drugs" in regard to marijuana has failed. We spend a fortune trying to control it, while at the same time filling our overcrowded prisons with inmates. The only thing that has resulted from all this attempt at control has made growing it very lucrative - one plant is worth $4,000. Marijuana has been around for 5,000 years, and it is very easy to grown. Our state currently has a $15 billion budget shortfall. I suggest we legalize marijuana, then tax its sale to the max. Stop wasting money trying to control it. Bill Denneen Nipomo - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake