Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jul 2002
Source: Pahrump Valley Times (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Pahrump Valley Times
Contact:  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1125
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1531
Author: Redford Givens

MINORITY REPORT

Rich Thurlow (PVT June 26) is too soft on the pot warriors. The legislative 
reasons given for outlawing marijuana:

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are 
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their satanic music, jazz 
and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause white women 
to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others."

"The primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."

"Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on 
white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." (Hearst newspapers 
nationwide, 1934)

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, 
criminality and death."

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."

"[Smoking] one [marihuana] cigarette might develop a homicidal mania, 
probably to kill his brother."

Propaganda to outlaw marijuana (is) so ridiculous that the proper response 
to the term "marijuana crime" would be gales of hilarious laughter aimed at 
the proponent of marijuana prohibition, except for the fact that putting 
people in jail for "Reefer Madness" is no joke.

There was never any good reason to outlaw marijuana in 1937 and there is no 
good reason now.

Redford Givens

San Francisco
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MAP posted-by: Beth