Pubdate: Sun, 17 Nov 2002
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2002 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp
Contact: http://www.ogd.com/letter.htm
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689
Author: Larry Seguin
NOTE: Accepts LTEs by mail only! Must be signed w/phone#
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02.n2084.a10.html

MARIJUANA USE

To the editor:

We tolerate responsible alcohol use. It is time to tolerate responsible 
marijuana use. A TIME magazine poll showed that 72% oppose jailing 
responsible marijuana users. (Will Drugs be tolerated? Nov. 10 2002).

The voters spoke very clearly on the legalizing marijuana initiatives. In 
Nevada 39% voted to end prohibition of marijuana. In Arizona 43% voted to 
end marijuana prohibition. There was no landslide 'against' legalization 
and one year ago it was at only 28% for decriminalizing.

In Massachusetts Nineteen local advisory measures urging marijuana 
decriminalization all have passed, most with overwhelming margins. A local 
advisory measure supporting medical marijuana and another endorsing hemp 
cultivation passed easily as well.

In Maryland, Medical marijuana supporter Bob Ehrlich was elected governor. 
Good chance on a medical marijuana bill being passed in Maryland next year.

San Francisco voters passed Proposition S by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Placed 
on the ballot by four members of the city Board of Supervisors after a wave 
of federal raids on medical marijuana dispensaries, the measure asked 
voters if the city should explore growing and distributing marijuana for 
seriously ill patients. Now that voters have responded with a resounding 
"YES," it will be up to the Board of Supervisors to implement that mandate.

Larry Seguin Lisbon, NY
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens