Pubdate: Mon, 13 May 2002
Source: Post-Standard, The (NY)
Copyright: 2002, Syracuse Post-Standard
Contact:  http://www.syracuse.com/syrnewspapers/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/686
Author: Alexandra Meyerson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n889/a02.html

MARIJUANA ASIDE, MORALITY IS NOT THE LAW

To the Editor:

I am concerned about a remark made in the May 9 letter, "Legalize Drugs and 
Promote Bad Habits." Writer Amber Rush expresses the opinion that if 
marijuana were legalized, "our whole moral system would be thrown out the 
window."

In this country, we don't legislate morality. Some people think it is 
immoral to eat animal products. Others believe divorce is morally wrong. 
But few would seriously suggest we write new laws to ban these activities.

Marijuana smoking has never been shown scientifically to damage brain 
function, and possible lung damage has been shown to be on a par with or 
less serious than the risks of smoking cigarettes. But no matter how 
unhealthy smoking marijuana is for an individual, we don't legislate good 
health habits, either. Otherwise, we would need prisons for tobacco 
smokers, chocolate lovers and people who stay out in the sun too long.

The above suggestions may seem ludicrous. But unfortunately, they only 
mirror how absurd our actual marijuana policies really are. I encourage 
anyone interested in this issue to learn more about drug policy reform. You 
will find many convincing arguments for change, and strategies that have 
the potential to reduce not only drug-related crime but also drug use by 
minors.

The system we have now is clearly not working.

Alexandra Meyerson

Bayside
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MAP posted-by: Beth