Thought I would take a moment to talk about legalization. This is a subject I have and always will feel strong about.

I know this may offend some people. I know there are some people out there who feel like we should abolish prostitution. I'd like to state that prostitution is the OLDEST profession in the world- its not going away. No matter what sentence you impose on it, its not going away. I think is time we start to think of it as part of our society (which it is) and look for ways to tax it and regulate it.

I strongly feel like its a woman's choice what to do with her body. Whether that means sell it or give it away - its her choice, not the governments. If we have such a problem with prostitution then why don't we treat it like drug addiction and provide programs for these girls rather than arrest them?

Having spent a few months in jail, I saw so many drug addicts working the system. They would purposely take methodone upon entrance into Rikers so that their urine would test dirty. Half of these girls were presently clean. But they know if they claim to be a drug addict and their urine test supports that, then they will get a drug program rather than do jail time. So tell me -how are we really helping these women? We aren't. They are working the system.

But we have the opportunity to help sex workers. And hasn't the Craigslist killer taught us anything? Busting me did nothing to curb the industry. My girls (some of whom I've kept in touch with and have told me) are now working as independents. They are more scared of getting busted than they are of protecting their own safety. Angencies are too hott right now one of them said - and they treat us like crap, no one was a s nice as you- they told me.

So now they are working independently which means alone. Who is watching out for their safety? no one!!!! And one of them was just killed by Phillip Markoff-the craigslist murderer. This could have been avoided had the industry had regulations and the girls were working in an environment where there was a manager watching over them (like at my locations). Itsn't it time we start acknowledging this problem won't go away and start valuing the lives of these girls?

I could go on a rant on here but I won't. I have considered sex workers my friends for years. I ran a business and got to know and love many of them. The girls that worked for me were  great girls. Some were models, actresses, college coeds - all trying to make a better life for themselves. They were hard luck cases who chose this profession as a means to getting their life back on track. They weren't forced and I often sat down with the ones coming from bad situations and put in place a plan to get them out of their bad situation. I truly truly cared about each and every one of them. Thats the type of boss you want.

The indsutry is riddled with problems. These girls need a way out of this profession much like a drug addict. They need job training, support and counseling. I have spent the last month racking my brain to figure out a way to help and get this issue heard. Initially, I wanted to set up a link to petition a senator on Julissa's Brissmans behalf. I think I have come up with another, better, idea so please check back in here as I'm presently working on it!

For the record, I also feel marijuana should be legalized. No - I don't smoke pot. I don't do any drugs nor do I drink. I just feel like medicinal marijuana is needed for those in pain. And again, I do not think the government has the right to control what we do with our bodies. Marijuana is a natural, herbal rememdy and its not going away either.

We should legalize and tax both prostitution and marijuana and then maybe we can pull ourselves out of this recession.