[DevilsWin]

The following was taken from the Daily Independent "In You View" section March 4th 2009.

Last week, a monumental event occurred in Washington, D.C., which will forever alter the landscape of Kentucky, politically and economically. President Obama’s administration announced that federal resources will “not be used to circumvent state laws” regarding marijuana.

In essence, the United States government has yielded jurisdiction over marijuana to the individual states. Each state can now adopt whatever laws it wishes regarding marijuana, including its regulation and taxation. Legislation has already been introduced in California to do so.

Kentucky now stands at a crossroads which I predicted 33 years ago. We have the opportunity to finally gain a huge new source of revenue and direct it toward our budget deficits, education, pensions and retirements. Simultaneously, we can stop enriching the criminal black market and finally have a chance of keeping marijuana out of the hands of the kids.

We no longer have to wait for permission to do this. We now have it. The question is, does our legislature have the leadership and intelligence to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lift Kentucky from unnecessary suffering and poverty.

The governor should call a special session this summer to adopt a tax and regulate plan for marijuana (and hemp as a fuel). I predict that Kentucky would realize at least $400 to $600 million annually in new tax revenues and cut the cost of health care by another $500 million because of its benefits as a natural medicine. (Please visit k4mm.org )

The time is now folks. If Kentucky acts ahead of its sister states, the new revenue could be astounding.

Contact the governor and your legislators today and tell them to become educated on this matter immediately. There is no time to waste. Let us act now.

Gatewood Galbraith, Lexington