Pubdate: Thu, 19 May 2016 Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Copyright: 2016 Sun-Sentinel Company Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-letters-to-the-editor-htmlstory.html Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159 Author: Michael Rose LOSING OUT ON POT TAXES Because the legalization of medical marijuana will be on the ballot again this year, Florida legislators may want to remember that states are losing billions by not legalizing pot. According to a new study, federal and state governments are missing out on $28 billion by not legalizing recreational marijuana. The study was released on May 12 by the Tax Foundation, an independent think tank. Experts said most of that revenue would come from a tax on marijuana. The study criticized moral objections to marijuana legalization-such as concerns over addiction-by suggesting that people abuse marijuana regardless of its legal status. And according to a national survey on drug use and health, roughly 12 percent of marijuana users were considered "abusers" of the drug. Michael Rose, Lighthouse Point - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom