Legalize pot of gold

Considering the budget crisis, folks in Washington are facing some difficult choices. Either we reduce services or increase taxes. Economists feel that raising taxes during a recession is a bad idea. I agree. But I have a solution that would decrease state law enforcement costs and increase state revenue at the same time.

It’s time to get real and legalize the growing, selling and using of cannabis. Think of the millions wasted in futility trying to stop this! Folks, we tried Prohibition in the 1920s and all it did was criminalize a legitimate industry and create gangsters. How is this any different today?

It should be regulated just like hard spirits in our state with the same strict DUI and open container laws. If our state simply regulated the use and distribution of cannabis, we could easily generate millions of needed revenue, plus legalizing marijuana would deprive the criminals of black market revenue.

I would rather our police and judicial system attack real problems like meth/crack rather than busting some old hippies smoking a doob. What does it hurt? The only thing that is in any “danger” is those bags of Doritos and chips at the grocery store!

Will Olson

Spokane