Harm Reduction and The Noble Herb.

It is ironic that governments around the world have tried in vain to suppress this noble herb. It is just a green plant and because of its possession you are guilty of a criminal offence. Now how stupid is that? This plant has been used for five thousand years but in the nineteen thirties was made a controlled substance. Now the fun begins busting people for simply possessing this plant. According to Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), over 8 million Americans have been arrested on marijuana charges during the past decade, while arrests for cocaine and heroine have declined sharply.
Now just in this past week alone two states Oregon and California are bringing forth legislation to legalize and tax this product, as a method to stem the financial crisis in these states. California is proposing $98.00 an ounce tax while Oregon is proposing a tax of $50.00 an ounce. No matter how you cut the mustard that amounts to a huge cash cow, a huge influx into the public resources.
The greatest benefit however comes in the social form, escape from criminal arrest, prosecution and incarceration. This saving alone is more important than revenue enhancement. The Noble herbs time has come No longer is DEA and every police dept freed up from having to deal with this issue and will be able to spend their time at much more pressing problems the seventy million people who recreationally use this plant are relieved of a stigma associated with dope. This could be a win win situation lets see where it goes lets hear the arguments.