Pubdate: Fri, 01 Sep 2000
Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2000
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Section: Letters
Author: Myron Von Hollingsworth

NO LEGITIMATE PROFITS IN DOPE

IN response to the letter in the Irish Examiner (August 25), headed Dope 
inhibits cancer fighting, I wish to point out that the same can be said for 
alcohol. Cannabis has no lethal dose and its pharmacological effects have 
never caused a single death in recorded history.

The (unseen) driving force against medical (or unrestricted adult) 
legalisation of cannabis is the fact that it can't be patented. This 
precludes the need for big business to be involved and that fact makes 
cannabis commercially unattractive, pharmaceutically speaking. It seems 
that if it can't be profitised successfully the government can't justify 
legalisation even for the sick and dying.

Maybe corrupt politicians and media are required to adhere to the party 
line of prohibition because law enforcement, customs, the drug testing 
industry, the INS, CIA, FBI, DEA, politicians themselves et al can't live 
without the budget justification, not to mention the invisible profits, 
that prohibition affords.

Myron Von Hollingsworth
6401 Malvey Ave,
Fort Worth,
Texas, USA
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