With medical dispensaries becoming established, it is now time that our state legislators hold hearings on ending cannabis prohibition.

There are good reasons:

>> Taxing cannabis would provide millions toward solving the homelessness problem and help the islands rebuild from recent natural disasters.

>> Legalization would free up the police to work on serious and violent crime, while saving the costs of arresting innocent consumers.

>> Hawaii would become an eco and health destination for visiting tourists, adding revenue to the state coffers.

>> The majority of residents want to legalize.

It’s incumbent that with the challenges and the pressure to raise taxes across the board that we take measures to soften our burden by tapping into a brand-new revenue source. Our legislators need to muster the courage and we need to tell them to legalize for what ultimately will be best for our economy and everyone.

Andrea Tischler

Hilo

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