Pubdate: Sat, 21 Oct 2000
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2000 Duluth News-Tribune
Contact:  424 W. First St., Duluth, MN 55802
Website: http://www.duluthnews.com/
Forum: http://krwebx.infi.net/webxmulti/cgi-bin/WebX?duluth
Author: Erik Skelton

MARIJUANA IS NO MORE HARMFUL THAN ALCOHOL

Columnist James Bovard makes a very rational argument for the legalization 
of marijuana in his opinion piece from Oct. 16.

People are beginning to remove the blinders forced upon them by the 
government and see that true freedom of choice also means the freedom to 
have that choice. This ``democracy'' we live in is really more of a 
multiple choice test. Which of these drugs are illegal? A) alcohol; B) 
nicotine; C) marijuana; D) Metabo-life (whatever that is).

My point is, the truest, most simple reason it makes sense to legalize 
marijuana is that it's a freedom. Our government will allow beer-fueled 
mayhem. Our government will allow nicotine junkies to smoke a product that 
says, directly on the pack, that it has a good chance of killing them. Our 
government will allow teen-aged girls taking legal speed in the form of 
``natural weight-loss products'' to lose weight to a near-emaciated state.

But our government will not allow a person the freedom to smoke a joint, 
listen to some music and relax in their own way. Listen, readers, do not 
let the government brainwash your morals by telling you some things are 
right and other things are wrong. This is not extremist thinking.

Obviously, if someone is driving while high, they should be punished equal 
to that of a drunk driver. And if someone needs to be 18 to buy cigarettes, 
or 21 to buy alcohol, then someone should be 18 or 21 to purchase 
marijuana. Freedom of choice means responsibility of that choice.

Legalization will not create an all-out social breakdown. All your kids 
will still be making the same choices they are making now, only now they 
would not be going to jail for choosing their own life, their own freedoms 
and their own responsibilities. They will be learning and allowing freedom 
to flourish.

Erik Skelton

Duluth
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