Pot kept illegal for economic interests of firms, government

Editor,

"Counterculture"? Seems to me marijuana usage is more mainstream these days. There are lots of people who indulge in the green, not saying any names, but governors, professors, M.D.s, organization officials, law graduates, undergraduates, etc. Hell, there's even a restaurant designed to tap the pot-smoker market: Cheba Hut. So why is it illegal?

My notions say it is all about money. There are far too many big-money firms interested in keeping marijuana illicit - prisons, pharmacies, and the government, to name a few. All have a stake in this drug's legal status. The DEA would have to cut out a major portion of its offices if weed became legal. Prisons would no longer serve the millions they need to receive their head-count payment from the government, and prescription drug companies would lose out when customers realize pot does the job better.

Marijuana's illegal status serves many purposes in the U.S. economy. Worse, it also adds incentive to violent gang formation south of the border. I'm sorry, stoners. Legalization is not going to happen anytime soon. Remember, it's not your fault; it's the government's.

Jeffrey Waldo

UNM student