Pubdate: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 Source: Langley Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development Contact: http://www.langleytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230 Author: Robert Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc) EMERY GUILTY OF TELLING TRUTH ABOUT PROHIBITION Editor: If outspoken Canadian marijuana activist and seed entrepreneur Marc Emery is guilty of anything, it's telling the truth about marijuana prohibition. Canada is now faced with choosing between its sovereignty and U.S. President George W. Bush's zero tolerance culture war. If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal. And if harsh penalties deterred consensual vices, the former land of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated would be a "drug-free" America. Marijuana prohibition has done little other than burden millions of otherwise law-abiding citizens with criminal records. A University of Michigan study reports that lifetime use of cannabis is higher in the United States than any European country, yet the U.S. is one of the few western countries that uses its criminal justice system to punish citizens who prefer marijuana to martinis. Canada should follow the lead of Europe and Just Say No to the American Inquisition. Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Virginia - --- MAP posted-by: Josh