Legal marijuana is taxable substance
Regarding “Analyze cost, benefits of legal pot” (Atlanta Forward, Aug. 21), J. Tom Morgan makes a cogent case for the decriminalization of marijuana, citing the racist scare tactics of the Depression-era director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the specious argument that it is a gateway to harder drugs.
Let’s also consider these points: Legal marijuana can be taxed; its potency can be standardized; criminal enterprises will no longer profit from trafficking in it, and useful medical research into its therapeutic use can begin. And decriminalization will ease the current enormous strain on our courts and prisons. With the taxpayer money saved, maybe then we can turn our attention to the shortcomings of our infrastructure and educational systems.
FRED ROBERTS, DECATUR
Minimum wage hike would aid economy
Most people have the wrong image of the average minimum-wage worker. Two-thirds of minimum-wage earners are women. More than a quarter have children. The average age of a minimum-wage worker is 35. Many minimum-wage workers are moms and dads trying to raise a family on a dismal annual salary of $15,080. This isn’t just hurting our families, it’s hurting our economy.
Increasing the minimum wage would boost our community and the overall economy by providing more people with income to spend in our local stores on the basics like food, medicine and gasoline. The federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised in over five years. When Congress returns to Washington in September, a top priority needs to be to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10. Our economy and our families are depending on it.
DARREN MITTON, CLARKSTON
Board of Pardons needs reality check
I was appalled to read that convicted felons in Georgia are being allowed to own and carry guns (“Despite these crimes, felons still get guns,” News, Aug. 24). It is truly hard to believe the Georgia Board of Pardons has approved the majority of requests (more than 1,400) from convicted felons to carry guns again, including felons convicted of violent crimes involving guns. Has the Board of Pardons looked at the statistics on repeat offenses by violent offenders using guns? We clearly need some new laws to protect law-abiding citizens from the whim of a Board of Pardons out of touch with reality.
HARRY FINDLEY, ATLANTA
