Pubdate: Thu, 25 Mar 2004 Source: Parthenon, The (WV Edu) Copyright: 2004 The Parthenon Contact: http://www.marshall.edu/parthenon/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2171 Author: Scott Russ FEAR, POLIITICS KEEPING POT ILLEGAL If our federal governments used science and logic to form our laws there would be no prohibition against marijuana to begin with. Instead they use fear and politics. The war against marijuana users isn't about protecting our children or society. We've lived under that pretense for the past 70 years and what have been the results? We send people to prison for marijuana possession and cultivation yet past presidents, along with many other politicians and other prominent members of society, have admitted to using marijuana. I guess its OK for our politicians to use marijuana but the rest of Americans should be demonized and criminalized for it, right? America better wake up soon and stop hypocritically prosecuting its citizens for using this plant which has never killed anyone as alcohol and tobacco do on a daily basis. I don't want my children to have to endure another 70 years of this disastrous and misguided witch hunt against marijuana users that takes from education to build more prisons. Once we quit criminalizing responsible adults for using marijuana you won't have to ask yourself what we need to do about our budget deficits and overcrowded prisons. And no, the sky won't fall and there won't be anarchy if we legally regulate marijuana the way we do alcohol and tobacco. But there will be more tax dollars and law enforcement personnel available to do what they were intended to do. Protect and serve, not running around tearing up marijuana plants. Just say know! - - Scott Russ Baton Rouge, La. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman