Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 Source: Nelson Mail, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2005 Independent Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/indexLite/1,2487,0a9,FF.html Website: http://www.nelsonmail.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1069 Author: Steven Wilkinson CANNABIS Sir, I believe Julian Crawford (Mailbox, January 19), underestimates the dangers of the evil weed cannabis. If it wasn't so evil, why does the Government spend over $20 million a year to maintain the prohibition on cannabis? In 1938, Harry Anslinger, the director of America's narcotics bureau, spoke before Congress saying "Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind", and told of "coloureds with big lips luring white women with jazz music and marijuana". Cannabis is so evil that when the American Medical Association approached that same committee to protest against outlawing a plant that had been used successfully as a medicine for both adults and children for over a hundred years in America, it was ignored. It is so evil that before prohibition, cannabis was used in making rope, clothing, high quality paper, paints and varnishes, gasoline, medicines, food oils and, of course, recreation. If cannabis was harmless, then why wouldn't the New Zealand Government listen to it's health committees, which recommend changes to the legal position of cannabis? The answer is, legalise with regulation, help the ones who have trouble with the drug, and educate the children (cheaper than $20 million). Remember, there was no drug problem until they became illegal. Steven Wilkinson, Golden Bay - --- MAP posted-by: Derek