Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2005 News World Communications, Inc. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Author: Bruce Mirken Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n153/a10.html SOFT ON DRUG USE AND POSSESSION Your story ("Metro must accept pro-marijuana ads," Metropolitan, Friday) about the Justice Department declining to appeal a court decision overturning a congressional amendment, which barred public transit systems from accepting paid ads supporting reform of laws regarding marijuana and other drugs -- misstated one key point: The ads that reform groups such as ours have attempted to place are not "pro-marijuana." They do not advocate use of marijuana or any other drug. They simply advocate reconsideration of marijuana laws that manifestly cause far more suffering and injury than marijuana itself. We are not "pro-marijuana," just as the mothers who campaigned to repeal Prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s were not "pro-booze." A system of common-sense regulation would give society control over the marijuana business. Prohibition -- just as with alcohol -- guarantees that we have no control and gives an exclusive franchise to gangsters and criminals. Attempts to stifle debate will not help America develop more effective laws and policies. BRUCE MIRKEN Director of communications Marijuana Policy Project Washington - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)