This would be a sure way for Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett and Jamaica to enjoy a good winter tourist season. Consider this: The state of California now collects a tax - US$18 per US$1,000 of marijuana sold. This is projected to raise about US$300,000 in new revenue per year for the state.

In 2005, Harvard visiting professor, Jeffrey Miron, estimated that the United States could save some US$7.7 billion and generate over US$6.2 billion per year if marijuana was legalised and taxed like tobacco and alcohol.

This should be a no-brainer for Jamaica. The Government and the Opposition must now move with deliberate haste to change the law, issue permits to small farmers to operate marijuana farms and set up distribution centres.

- Courtney A. Edwards

Atlanta GA

Moral inconsistency

Douglas Simpson, writing in The Gleaner October 23, called out Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller on what he cited as his concern for "glaring inconsistencies arising in applying general principles" for statements she made in Parliament calling on "our international partners" to respect the views of Jamaicans on certain issues.

He also said the following: "I make the same request of the People's National Party that its leader Mrs Simpson Miller made in Parliament on Tuesday. Please 'respect our views' in the matter of legalising the wilful termination of the life of an innocent unborn child."

I dare say that Mr Simpson shows some inconsistency here as he is clearly not doing the same thing he is asking Mrs Simpson Miller to do.

Mr Simpson, who appears to be a member of the do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do-club, should respect the views and wishes of women who choose to terminate a pregnancy.

- Authnel Reid

authnelreid@optonline.net

For Flo and Dennis

In reference to your editorial of October 20, I must convey my delight in seeing The Gleaner take such a principled position in noting the contribution of Flo O' Connor and Dennis Daley as it relates to human rights in Jamaica.

Keep it up, there is hope in the country after all.

- Bobby Bruce

bobbybruce@gmail.com