Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX) Copyright: 2005 Amarillo Globe-News Contact: http://amarillonet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13 Author: Jose Melendez Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1000/a09.html?85726 WHAT PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM When The Law Plays Doctor With respect to the June 21 letter, "What about Marinol?" I find it unlikely that a "retired resident" agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Lubbock and Amarillo offices is ignorant of the existence of vaporizers, or the brownies, cookies, teas and tinctures that can be made from cannabis, or marijuana hemp. Even if smoked, pot is ingested far more safely per dose than almost all approved medications or intoxicants, yet is classified in a stricter category than crack or even powder cocaine. In a typical example of how industry buys politics to trump science, the only legal but synthetic version of one of cannabis' active ingredients is classified less stringently, yet is uncomfortably stronger than many of the most powerful ganja strains. Exactly as during last century's alcohol prohibition, hypocrisy and corruption are rampant among drug warriors, who earn otherwise unlikely pensions, pay and profits instead of fighting real crime or protecting the people against the pill-pushers who bought our politicians. Just saying "no" is lying. Any questions? JOSE MELENDEZ Communications Director Concerned Citizens Coalition to Criminalize Prohibition DeLand, Fla. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)