Stirring up the policy on pot

Re “Pot is called biggest cash crop,” Dec. 18

No doubt the report is accurate, but its “real” market value would be much smaller should marijuana be legalized. Prohibition is an effective price-support program. Other economic effects would be loss of income for the law enforcement and prison/industrial complex, as well as competition against the pharmaceutical companies’ products.

GERALD M. SUTLIFF

Bakersfield

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Tom Riley’s response on behalf of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to calls for cannabis to be regulated is a non sequitur at best. He uses examples of the failures associated with control of coca in Colombia and opiates in Afghanistan in an attempt to support the same failed prohibition policies for cannabis in this country. His logic makes as little sense as allowing criminals to control the markets for dangerous drugs.

DAVID LANE

Santa Cruz