Pubdate: Sun, 30 May 2010 Source: County Press, The (Lapeer, MI) Copyright: 2010 The County Press Contact: http://www.countypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4501 Author: Jeff MacKay MARIJUANA SHOULD BE REGULATED I watched a program on the National Geographic channel the other day titled "Marijuana Nation" all about the business of marijuana in this country, and it was an eye opener. To me I think the government should decriminalize marijuana possession and use because it's pretty harmless stuff for the average user. If the states and federal government want to tax marijuana they should. At least this way they could make some money on it too. I think it would be better to take it out of the hands of gangs and other street thugs who are selling marijuana now. And besides, I bet if people are honest I bet the medical marijuana dispensary has been good to Dryden. It's bringing people to the community that have never been there, and I suspect they are buying gas or eating at a local restaurant as they drive to the place. These dispensaries in some cities, such as San Francisco have saved entire neighborhoods that were before just run down and going to pot. I agree with your editorial on Wednesday, and I don't normally. I think people need to understand that it's the law now, so as long as things don't get out of hand in some way I think it's best that everybody just keep a cool head about this. There's no point to argue whether it's good or bad. The majority of state residents voted for the law in 2008, so it's democracy in action. I'm all for regulation of marijuana, and it should be just like prescription drugs and alcohol sales are regulated. Otherwise things get crazy and people get hurt. Jeff MacKay Imlay City - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake