Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jul 2005
Source: Star-Banner, The (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The Star-Banner
Contact:  http://www.starbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1533
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1101/a01.html

POT'S LUCK

Regarding Rob Kampia's July 10 op-ed, "Snatching victory from the jaws of 
defeat," if health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms 
marijuana would be legal.

Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, 
nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana can be 
harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate as health interventions 
and ineffective as deterrents.

The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican migration 
during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the American Medical 
Association.

Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been 
counterproductive at best.

White Americans did not even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be 
entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness propaganda. 
By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in California, the 
very same Bush administration that claims illicit drug use funds terrorism 
is forcing cancer and AIDS patients into the hands of street dealers.

Apparently marijuana prohibition is more important than protecting the 
country from terrorism.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth