Pubdate: Tue, 17 Dec 2002
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2238/a09.html
Author: Stephen Heath
Cited: Drug Policy Forum of Florida http://dpffl.org/
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2238/a09.html
Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
http://www.mapinc.org/area/Australia

HARSH DRUG PENALTIES CAUSE MOST DAMAGE

IF THE problem with marijuana use begins with combining it with alcohol,
may we presume that Ms Martin would support criminalising alcohol use?

Supporters of marijuana law reforms do not promote the message that
marijuana is harmless.

This is an imaginary claim created by Ms Martin and other temperance zealots.

Rather we recognise that regardless of the level of potential harm we
assign cannabis use, none of it even approaches the damage done to people
who are arrested, prosecuted and caged should they be caught with it in
their possessiohn.

Here in the United States we have the harshest criminal penalties for
marijuana possession in the free world.

Almost 2000 American citizens a day are arrested and prosecuted on simple
marijuana possession charges.  Users are forced by law to seek out their
marijuana from criminally controlled markets and most, especially young
people, are exposed to more dangerous drugs which are also peddled in the
illegal marketplace.

Marijuana prohibition laws only benefit four groups.  The criminal justice
system which relies on the high number of arrests to prop up their dockets
and the criminal cartels who enjoy the financial profits which prohibition
produces are the two most obvious.

Less obvious, but just as insidious, are the drug treatment and drug
testing industries and finally of course the temperance organisations which
exploit human ignorance in an effort to raise funds for their supposed holy
missions.

Australians are to be commended for gravitating to more rational and
sensible laws related to responsible adult marijuana use.

STEPHEN HEATH, Public Relations Director, Drug Policy Forum of Florida,
Florida, US.
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