Long ago in Boston several well known importers of tea leaves went to a pub to consult with some men who frequented the establishment. They provided several rounds of the patrons’ favorite beverage. After persuading them the government was levying an unreasonable amount of taxes on the non-alcohol leaves, the patrons went down to the wharf and threw the taxed leaves into the bay.

The smuggler’s reasoning was the taxed tea was still cheaper than their smuggled tea. Recreational marijuana taxes have been found to be the reverse. The legislator’s greed for tax revenue will make the illegal product less expensive than the legal. Isn’t it better to keep it all illegal?