This topic has been in the news off and on for years in California. Living so close to the "Emerald Triangle" here in Northern California, especially so. I have heard many a story of people being shot/threatened if they accidentally venture into someone's field. Because of the large amount of money generated, growers have taken to protection in the way of firearms and other forms of violence to protect their "livelihood".

To compare marijuana to alcohol is like comparing apples to oranges. Everywhere, you will hear about drunk drivers, alcohol causing and contributing to violent crimes (rape, robbery, homicide, etc). Rarely, if ever, do you see someone committing a violent crime where it is alleged that being under the influence of pot caused it. It is well documented that alcohol kills more people and causes more problems in almost all societies than any other drug, but that really is not the core issue.

I have no answer and no strong opinion one way or the other, but if marijuana is decriminalized, why not slap a sales tax on it, just like many other goods or services. Bet it would generate tons of dough! Maybe that tax income could be put to good use in some other fashion.

Someone must know the answer to this: Pot is legally for sale in Amsterdam. Wonder what their crime rates are and what they do, if anything with the income from weed.