Pubdate: Wed, 06 Mar 2002
Source: Sidney Herald Leader (MT)
Copyright: 2002 Sidney Herald Leader
Contact:  http://www.sidneyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1769
Author: Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hemp.htm (Hemp)

HEMP SHOULD BE LEGAL IN U.S.

To the editor:

Jim Hightower's Feb. 20 critique of the Georgia Rep. Bob Barr's absurd 
opposition to industrial hemp was excellent. Political pressure to keep 
farmers from growing hemp is part of a larger culture war.

Prior to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 few Americans had 
heard of marijuana, despite widespread cultivation of its non- intoxicating 
cousin, industrial hemp.

The first marijuana laws were a racist reaction to Mexican migration during 
the early 1900s, passed in large part due to sensationalist yellow journalism.

Incredibly, violent acts were allegedly committed by minorities under 
marijuana's influence. Whites did not even begin smoking pot until a 
soon-to-be entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness 
propaganda.

These days marijuana is confused with 60s counterculture. The 
intergenerational culture war otherwise known as the war on some drugs does 
far more harm than marijuana.

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting 
children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use and 
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's 
really needed is a regulated market with age controls. Right now kids have 
an easier time buying pot than beer. Separating the hard and soft drug 
markets is especially critical.

Marijuana may be relatively harmless compared to alcohol - the plant has 
never been shown to cause an overdose death - but marijuana prohibition is 
deadly. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized 
crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with addictive drugs 
like meth. Taxing and regulating the sale of marijuana to adults is a 
cost-effective alternative to the never- ending drug war.

Farmers, taxpayers and families all stand to benefit from an end to 
counterproductive drug laws.

Sincerely,

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

program officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Beth