Pubdate: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 Source: North County Times (CA) Copyright: 2002 North County Times Contact: http://www.nctimes.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1080 Author: Rob Luchsinger Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) GOVERNMENT WASTES MONEY FIGHTING DRUG WAR The war on drugs, specifically marijuana, has heated up recently, and it just disgusts me. The lengths to which the federal government will go to attack those who use it is draconian. The new commercials are totally based in misinformation and designed to scare people with scenarios that are extremely rare and take the focus off of much more important issues, like drunken driving and teen smoking. Clinical trials have shown that driving after smoking pot is safer than driving drunk. The weakest members of our society are victimized by the drug busts when the feds come in and tear apart the medical marijuana co-ops. These co-ops exist so those with AIDS, cancer, MS and other debilitating diseases can live a better quality life. The Lancet and other highly respected medical journals have given evidence to the awesome ability of cannabis to give relief with minimal side effects. I hope the people are getting educated about the truth of marijuana and not buying into the lies this administration and so many before perpetuate. We could save billions on incarceration, enforcement and court costs. Then we could spend more on mental health services to prevent the use of harder drugs by those who have nowhere else to turn. Rob Luchsinger Oceanside - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk