Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2001
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Section: Editorial, Letters To The Editor, Pg 22
Copyright: 2001 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://www.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Author: Robert Sharpe

PROGRESSIVE ON POT

I respectfully disagree ("Marijuana loophole closed," May 10). Not only 
should marijuana be allowed as medicine, but marijuana prohibition should 
be subjected to a thorough cost-benefit analysis. Like any drug, marijuana 
can be harmful if abused but the health effects of marijuana are 
inconsequential compared to the life-shattering effects of America's 
punitive criminal justice system. Of course, a review of marijuana 
legislation would open up a Pandora's box most politicians would just as 
soon avoid. America's marijuana laws are based on culture and xenophobia, 
not science.

Robert Sharpe
Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation
Washington, D.C.
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