Pubdate: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2004 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Author: Carl Swallow Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1590.a06.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) THE 'POT DOCS' CONTROVERSY The excellent article about "pot docs" reveals Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft's mean-spirited attitude trickling down to our medical care. The war on drugs is a total failure; we should surrender and make better use of our time and resources. The war on drugs drains our economy of billions a year and has done little to reduce drug use. Treatment of drug abusers is more effective and much less costly than maintenance as a prison inmate. Cutting back on our current methods of fighting drug use would free up money and personnel for counter-terrorism efforts. The current harassment of doctors who advocate medical use of marijuana shows lack of compassion by the conservatives now in power. We need them to change their course and use methods that are both sensible and effective. Carl Swallow Manhattan Beach - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin