Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jan 2002
Source: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Eau Claire Press
Contact:  http://www.leadertelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/236
Author: Harry D. Fisher, Woodland Hills, CA

STOP PROSECUTING DRUG USERS

Harold E. Davis, in his letter of Dec. 25, shows that he misunderstands the 
currently popular phrase "United We Stand."

While we stand together in fighting terrorism in our country it doesn't 
mean standing united in defense of every counterproductive government 
policy that is rammed down our throats.

In particular, I do not support the government in its war on drug users, 
which has ballooned the U.S. prison population to the largest in the world.

The best way to starve terrorists of funds is to legalize drugs, which will 
destroy the black market and wipe out the underground drug economy that has 
caused a common weed, marijuana, to be more valuable than gold, ounce for 
ounce.

Contorting logic and blaming recreational drug users for terrorism will get 
us nowhere. The fact is that the best marijuana is grown here in the U.S. 
and the proceeds go to American pot farmers, not the al-Quaeda. Or is it 
Mr. Davis' intention to bring all pot smokers up on treason charges?

It seems like overkill to me and would bring about the sort of "justice" 
that we associate with the Taliban.

Eventually, Americans like Davis will have to come to terms with the fact 
that people will go on smoking marijuana. Attempts to link it to terrorism 
is merely a political ploy whose purpose is to further try to enforce the 
unenforceable.

Legalization is the answer.

HARRY D. FISHER
Woodland Hills, CA
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart