Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2008 Source: Times-Press-Recorder (CA) Copyright: 2008 Pulitzer Central Coast Newspapers Contact: http://www.timespressrecorder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/537 Author: Bill Denneen LEGALIZE POT, SAVE BUDGET To the Editor: 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 over-crowded prisons with inmates. 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 grow. Our state currently has a $15-billion budget shortfall, with cutbacks in salaries for 200,000 state employees. 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: Larry Seguin