Pubdate: Thu, 26 Oct 2000
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2000 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Author: James Garhart

STOP LIES; VOTE YES ON PROP. 5

More than 1,000 Americans die prematurely each day from tobacco use. Not 
only is this tolerated, but the U.S. government gives billions, with a B, 
of our tax dollars to tobacco farmers every year to ensure tobacco farmers 
stay in business.

With this in mind, I can't understand why the government spends resources 
much needed elsewhere to pursue, prosecute, and imprison adults who grow 
and/or smoke marijuana.

Adults who currently use marijuana don't deserve to be jailed. Adults who 
used it in the past deserve amnesty. Adults choosing to use marijuana in 
the future should not have to fear being jailed.

The war on marijuana has brought us some police willing to use improperly 
issued warrants to conduct illegal searches, houses being seized on charges 
that are later dropped, warrantless intrusive searches by forward looking 
infrared helicopters, and lives and families being devastated by marijuana 
prohibition laws. It has even induced a former U.S. attorney for Alaska and 
our current governor to put into print statements about Proposition 5 that 
are easily proved as false. Both put into print that Proposition 5 requires 
restitution. Absolutely not true.

Let's stop the lies and legalize. Join me in voting yes on Proposition 5 
this Nov. 7. As always, voter apathy begets tyranny.

- -- James Garhart

"Lazy Mt. Jim"

Wasilla
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