Pubdate: Wed, 17 Apr 2002
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH)
Copyright: 2002 The Cincinnati Enquirer
Contact:  http://enquirer.com/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/86
Author: Brendan Merk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?203 (Terrorism)

LEGALIZING DRUGS COULD CUT TERRORISTS' FUNDS

The comments made by drug czar John Walters at the PRIDE conference 
failed to address some important points regarding the war on drugs.

First, his idea of drug money funding terrorism is directly related 
to the war on drugs.  If drugs were legal, then only legitimate 
companies would profit-- not criminals and terrorists. In addition 
drug prices would plummet under the competitive nature of the free 
market; making the industry much less profitable. In this sense, the 
war on drugs has allowed only criminals to profit from this thriving 
market; has indirectly funded terrorism and is, by Mr. Walters' 
logic, unpatriotic. A second point to make is regarding the medical 
use of marijuana. Mr. Walters demonizes those who seek relief from 
suffering and accuses them of supporting terrorism. I cannot agree 
with this position or his comments, as only one side of this issue 
was presented, and was presented in a misleading manner. I do not use 
or support the use of drugs, but I also do not view transactions 
between consenting adults as criminal acts.

Please support more libertarian ideas that strive to generate 
national policies that make sense, rather than those that do more 
harm than good.

Brendan Merk
Sharonville
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MAP posted-by: Josh