Pubdate: Tue, 26 Nov 2002
Source: Gambit Weekly (LA)
Copyright: 2002, Gambit Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/current/gw_index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2406
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2056/a02.html
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

REEFER SANITY

The article on Louisiana's symbolic medical marijuana law ("The Best 
Medicine?" Nov. 5) underscored the need for state-level medical marijuana 
distribution systems free from federal intrusion. Unfortunately, a review 
of marijuana legislation would open up a Pandora's box most politicians 
would just as soon avoid. America's marijuana laws are based on culture and 
xenophobia, not science. An estimated 38 percent of Americans have now 
smoked pot. Reefer madness myths have long been discredited, forcing the 
drug war gravy train to spend millions on politicized research.

The direct experience of millions of Americans contradicts the 
sensationalistic myths used to justify marijuana prohibition. Illegal drug 
use is the only public health issue wherein key stakeholders are not only 
ignored, but actively persecuted and incarcerated. In terms of medical 
marijuana, those stakeholders happen to be cancer and AIDS patients.

Robert Sharpe, Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, D.C.
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