Associate Editor Gil Smart opines in his column “The case for legalizing pot” :
“Well, marijuana is a drug — as is alcohol. It can indeed have a detrimental effect on the user’s health, such as long-term lung issues for heavy smokers. Like cigarettes.
“But the idea of legalization involves regulation. It’s not about par-tay; it’s about taxing and controlling access to a substance that millions already consume in unregulated fashion.
“It’s about acknowledging that the harm inflicted by marijuana actually pales in comparison to the harm the ‘War on Drugs’ has inflicted upon society and its taxpayers.”
WATCHDOG: Three wags of the tail for Smart’s addressing marijuana prohibition in a candid, frontal and knowledgeable manner.
We can understand a conservative state such as Pennsylvania not taking a lead in taxing, regulating and control of marijuana sales, even though it should. However, we are ashamed that Pennsylvania has not yet approved the distribution of ‘medical marijuana, now approved by seventeen states and the District of Columbia.
According to a recent Gallop poll, over 73% of the U. S. population favor ‘medical marijuana.’ The same poll shows that for the first time over 50% approve of taxing, regulating and controlling marijuana, what is generally referred to as ‘legalizing.’
Smart does overstate the dangers of smoking marijuana. Unlike those addicted to nicotine, marijuana users do not smoke a pack or two a day, but rather one or two joints as many of us enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with dinner. Moreover, many ingest marijuana by way of cookies or steam devices.
The time has come for speedy medical marijuana legislation to alleviate suffering and, in many circumstances, overcome disabilities.
