Pubdate: Fri, 13 Sep 2002
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2002 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Clarence J. Gentry
Note: Titled by map

THE LAST WORD ABOUT MARIJUANA LAW

I am a 74-year-old nonsmoker, nondrinker of alcoholic beverages and nonuser 
of any so-called recreational drugs. I predict state constituents will 
prevail over the federal government and have the last word about marijuana law.

A few years ago, Californians, by 56 percent of the vote, passed 
Proposition 215, legalizing the medical use of marijuana. Now, Nevadans are 
proposing a ballot initiative making "small amounts of the drug acceptable 
for recreational use" ("Nevadans to vote on legalizing marijuana," Aug. 
20). This proposes a further challenge to the antidrug czars that are 
already up in arms. As they hop onto their treadmills and race into severe 
headwinds to counteract the will of the people, I predict that they will 
inherit the same fate as Prohibition.

Aside from its alleged medicinal value, marijuana has other superseding 
values. It provides millions of confused souls the opportunity to enter the 
outer world of euphoria, which they enjoy. It produces billions of dollars 
in profits, and according to the book "Dope, Inc.," Chapter 3: "Marijuana 
is now the nation's major crop." In this capitalistic economy the laws of 
supply and demand must and will prevail. Marijuana will be with us 
eternally and will be legalized.

- - Clarence J. Gentry, Rio Linda
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom