Pubdate: Fri, 11 Apr 2003
Source: Maneater, The (Columbia, MO Edu)
Copyright: 2003 The Maneater
Contact:  http://www.themaneater.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1283
Author: Mark Lehrer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n495/a09.html?1183

POT USERS AREN'T CRIMINALS

In your April 4 article, "Bush drug rep. joins anti-pot plan group," you 
failed to mention is that all of the people you quote receive money from 
the war on drugs.

There are two facts people should keep in mind when looking at drug war 
reforms. Most of the violence and problems from drugs are actually caused 
by the drastic prohibitions we have in place. Second, marijuana is clearly 
the least harmful recreational drug.

We should stop arresting harmless marijuana users. We also should look at 
the alternatives to zero tolerance that the rest of the civilized world is 
trying.

Mark Lehrer Salt Lake City
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom