Pubdate: Thu, 26 Apr 2001
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2001 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n673/a12.html

PROHIBITION INCITES DRUG WAR

In response to the April 17 editorial, "DRUG REFORM WAITS," I agree we are 
losing the war on drugs because of money and addiction.

The money aspect would soon be eliminated with the end of drug 
prohibition.  Prohibition is the reason marijuana, a common weed, is worth 
the price of gold.  Because of marijuana prohibition, the buyers of 
marijuana, a natural herb that has never been documented to kill a single 
person, are often exposed to the sellers of potentially deadly and 
addictive drugs like heroin and cocaine.

Our marijuana prohibition policies, not the substance itself, creates the 
gateway effect.  If coffee were prohibited and only available on the 
underground black market, coffee would be a gateway to other drugs.  Just a 
marijuana is today.

Kirk Muse, Vancouver, WA