Legalize, tax pot
Legalize, tax pot
All over, the media talk about marijuana this and marijuana that. Personally, it should be taxed and regulated. In my opinion, that would make every state more money than cigarettes and alcohol combined.
It sucks many people are blind or plagued by their own insecurities to see it. If Hawaii lawmakers were smart, they should legalize it and then use the money to fund other things.
People these days lack the vision of how simple things can improve many, whether it’s legalizing marijuana or raising the minimum wage to $15.
OK, look. If you crave change, stand up and fight because 2016 is the year of changes, whether you like it or not.
Troy Abraham
Hilo
Setting us back
So, Rep. Marcus Oshiro of Oahu wants to make growing one’s own medical cannabis illegal, and only buy from the dispensaries?
This will set Hawaii back to before 2000. The dispensary system was set up not to benefit the people who need cannabis and grow their own, but to be the first step to making cannabis legal for all of the state. For it is everyone else who can afford it.
Even eliminating caregivers assumes that those who get care from others can afford the state’s costs. Nothing can be further from the truth. If I had to buy my own for my medical condition, it would be something I cannot do.
Oshiro should step out of his shell and check with the rest of the state, such as lower Puna, to see how the real world works.
Guy B. Shepard
Pahoa
Mahalo, Las Vegas
To the citizens of the state of Hawaii from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau: Thank you so much for the tremendous benefit to the people of Las Vegas and the economy of the Silver State, courtesy of the Aloha State’s residents.
As an example, why do so many people from Hawaii come to Las Vegas to spend their money on hotel rooms, meals, shows and playing the slots, cards and other games? This doesn’t even consider the cost of booking a plane ticket to Las Vegas from Honolulu. And why is this so?
Please extend our sincere appreciation to your elected state officials and the League of Women Voters who don’t like to gamble, yet have a major problem with anyone partaking. So please thank these folks for allowing their constituents and others to foot the bill for all those great public service items us here in Las Vegas enjoy.
But please remember that these “gifts” are only paid for by those residents (of Hawaii) who want to pay us. No one is forced to contribute. But knowing how gullible people are, most will get on the plane and willingly fly here to give us all their hard-earned money. Thanks Hawaii for not offering the same games of chance back home; that way, they continue to come to Vegas. And who needs the money more, Hawaii or Nevada?
How can we ever thank you for occupancy rates that consistently overwhelm even our expectations? Also, thanks for maximizing all our restaurants and showrooms. We might not have a beach, but we have things here in the “Ninth Island” that everyone can enjoy! (Except homelessness!)
And, please, never approve any form of gambling back home in the Aloha State.
Michael L. Last
Naalehu