Legalizing pot a smart move

RE: “NM Democrats support legal pot,” , March 16

I applaud the 90 percent of delegates of the Democratic Party who voted to support decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in the state of New Mexico. The legalization and taxation of marijuana would increase the revenue of the state immensely and provide more job opportunities than any other proposed economic initiative. Colorado collected almost $250 million in tax revenue alone in 2017, according to the Colorado Revenue Department.

The dangers of marijuana have been inflated throughout history, alluding to addiction and gateways to other drugs when marijuana has, in fact, proven to be beneficial in the use of treating or alleviating symptoms of serious physical and mental health issues and has never caused anyone to die from an overdose.

I can understand other concerns about driving while impaired occurrences increasing, but marijuana continues to be recognized as being safer than alcohol and tobacco use. Even so, most consumers must commit a crime in order to purchase and use marijuana. The criminalization of marijuana has disproportionately put minority people behind bars for the possession or use of marijuana. Millions have been arrested and prosecuted and imprisoned, all at the expense of taxpayers.

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s approach of being “committed to working with the Legislature to move toward legalizing recreational cannabis in a way that improves public safety, boosts state revenues and allows for New Mexico businesses to grow into this new market,” is a smart way to look at how to handle any issues that could possibly arise and use the research and experiences of the states that have already legalized recreational marijuana use as a guide.

ANDREA SAENZ Las Cruces