Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jul 2005
Source: High Point Enterprise (NC)
Copyright: 2005 High Point Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.hpe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/576
Author:  Jonathan Fraser
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FEDERAL PROHIBITION OF MARIJUANA IS BASED ON A LIE

I concur with Robert Gregg and Clifford Schaffer (Your View June 29/June 28).

Isn't it strange that nasty words like amphetamines are prescribed to 
help people, and nicer words like nicotine are prescribed to help 
people get off cigarettes? Some of the more taboo substances do not 
kill or maim many, while the legally and widely promoted items do, 
daily. The numbers have proved it for decades.

My concern is of the skewed perception about "dangers" of illegal 
drugs, but allowance of the "government" to positively reinforce the 
"benefit" of tobacco and beer, which kill people. A lot of them, daily.

Why did Nixon throw out findings from studies on marijuana use? Did 
anyone get the chance to read "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack 
Herer? No one ever saw the documentary "The History of Marijuana"?

I know, they were probably not in the libraries of America. On Web 
sites, though, the truth can be found about why marijuana is illegal. 
Those who voted on the legal fate of this plant never had the facts, 
but were dependent on information supplied by those who had a 
specific agenda to deceive lawmakers. You can find the very first 
federal vote to prohibit marijuana was based entirely on a documented 
lie on the Senate floor.

The history of marijuana's criminalization is filled with racism, 
fear tactics, protection of corporate profits (hello automakers), 
yellow journalism, ignorant, incompetent, corrupt legislators, 
personal career advancement and greed. These are the actual reasons 
marijuana is illegal and the government's data on drugs are 
unreasonably skewed.

Someday, "safe," ultralight, marijuana cigarettes may make tolerable 
a day for a cancer or chronic pain syndrome (CPS) patient. We all 
know doctors will never tell you to smoke, even if it would make life 
livable. Even for a little bit of time.

JONATHAN FRASER

High Point
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