Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jul 2004
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Copyright: 2004 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://triblive.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n982/a07.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?179 (Nadelmann, Ethan)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

TAKING A BITE OUT OF CRIME

One issue not covered by Nadelmann is the right of a so-called free
country's government to dictate which substances its adults may or may
not consume -- even in the privacy of their own homes.

If our government can punish its adult citizens for consuming the
wrong (politically selected) recreational drugs (note that Viagra is
legal, but marijuana is not), it can also punish its citizens for
eating the wrong (politically selected) foods.

Obesity kills about 400,000 Americans each year. Illegal drugs kill
about 17,000 Americans each year.

So, do we want our police arresting and jailing adult citizens who
consume unhealthful foods? Hopefully not.

Do we want our police arresting and jailing each other for eating
doughnuts? Maybe.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake