[RelaxationExpress]

So I sent off a letter of support for AB 390 asking my Senator (Western Riverside County, his site http://cssrc.us/web/37/default.aspx?...ookieSupport=1) to also support it and this was his response:

From: "Senator.Benoit@outreach.senate.ca.gov" <Senator.Benoit@outreach.senate.ca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 11:51:14 AM
Subject: Response from Senator Benoit regarding AB 390


Dear Mr. Relaxation Express:

Thank you for your correspondence expressing support for Assembly Bill 390 (Ammiano), which would legalize the possession, sale, and cultivation of marijuana by persons 21 years of age and older and would set up a wholesale and retail marijuana sales regulation program.

While I appreciate your point of view, I cannot in good conscience support this legislation because I do not believe in the decriminalization of marijuana. It is a gateway drug and encouraging its use would only lead to more people trying and abusing harder and more dangerous drugs.

Additionally, your argument that there would be tax revenue generated from the sale of marijuana may be true but the amount of revenue raised would not necessarily offset the cost to society. Indeed, the same argument could be made about many currently illegal activities, but legalizing them would not mean those activities would be good for society as a whole.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. While we do not agree on the merits of this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding other legislative issues of concern to you. It is an honor to serve you in the California State Senate.

Sincerely,



JOHN J. BENOIT
Senator, 37th District

JJB:gbb

I responded to this and thought anyone that is represented by this politician might also wish to express your support for this bill so that he can realized that he is on the loosing end of this issue and that as a Republican maybe he and his party should start looking for some issues that the PUBLIC actually supports, well that is if they wish to be part of of the political process...