Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002
Source: Shepherd Express (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Alternative Publications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.shepherd-express.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/414
Author: Gary Storck

DROPPING THE BALL ON POT LAWS

It was good to see you noted the recent recommendation by a Canadian Senate 
committee that Canada "legalize marijuana and regulate it like tobacco or 
alcohol" ["Expresso," Sept. 12].

Meanwhile, here in the states, it's hard to find a politician who doesn't 
think that even medicinal marijuana is a stretch, even while painting the 
U.S. as the nation with the most freedom. Meanwhile, U.S. medicinal pot 
users are fleeing to Canada in droves to escape persecution and prosecution 
here in the "land of the free."

But with most of Europe moving toward ending marijuana prohibition, and 
Canada OK'ing medical use last year and looking at a plan for legalizing 
and regulating cannabis that goes much farther than even nations like the 
Netherlands and Switzerland, it's beginning to look like people in other 
countries now have more rights than Americans.

Meanwhile, even in states such as California, which have legalized 
marijuana for medical use, the Bush administration is sending out 
militarized DEA agents to storm medicinal pot gardens, terrorizing patients 
and stealing their medicine. With two dispensaries raided in just a week, 
and six in the last year, Bush's claims of being a "compassionate 
conservative" have proved to be mere rhetoric as is his campaign promise to 
let states set their own policies on medical marijuana.

Gary Storck

Madison
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