Pubdate: Sun, 08 Jun 2003
Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL)
Copyright: 2003 St. Petersburg Times
Contact:  http://www.sptimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n815/a05.html
Author:  Bruce Tapscott, Tampa
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)

DEMONIZING DOES DAMAGE

Re: Drug War Invades State Elections.

The idea that sending people to jail for smoking pot benefits the smoker 
and society is just plain asinine. Criminalization and demonizing marijuana 
damages otherwise productive lives. Even those who do not suffer jail or 
fines do suffer damaged attitudes toward the law and society. To make 
matters worse, criminal organizations profit from artificially inflated 
prices. Money that would go to economically healthy consumption is now 
channeled to drug smugglers and distributors.

Now we see that the government wants to use pot as an excuse to spend tax 
dollars in political campaigns against selected candidates. People in 
political authority who don't know better should not be in government to 
begin with. Those who abuse government power are a much greater threat to 
our society than those who abuse pot.

Bruce Tapscott, Tampa
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl