Pubdate: Thu, 17 Nov 2005
Source: Rebel Yell (Las Vegas, NV Edu)
Section: Opinion
Copyright: 2005 Rebel Yell
Contact: http://www.ryunlv.com/main.cfm?include=submit
Website: http://www.ryunlv.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1362
Author: Scott Hagen, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARIJUANA IS SAFER ALTERNATIVE THAN ALCOHOL

Denver, Colo. has proclaimed itself the nation's forerunner for dealing 
with domestic violence. Billboards previously pasted up in the city showed 
the image of an abused woman, promoting support of Initiative 100 to 
"Reduce family & community violence in Denver," and, earlier this month, 
voters successfully willed it into action. Marijuana possession for 
recreational purposes is now legal for the first time in an American city. 
Mason Tvert, the leading proponent of the Alcohol Marijuana Equalization 
Initiative, was involved in the "Make Denver Safer" campaign. Of Initiative 
100, he said: "If this passes, it will make the city of Denver safer by 
allowing adults over 21 to use marijuana as an alternative to alcohol." In 
January, Tvert also started an organization, SAFER (Safer Alternatives for 
Enjoyable Recreation), as a response to alcohol-related deaths at Colorado 
universities. He added, "There's no doubt that if people choose to use 
marijuana instead of alcohol we would not have the same number of problems."

As the research shows, alcohol is the obvious, evil cause of domestic 
violence and other cultural maladies. Warning labels, of course, have been 
in place on every alcoholic container for years. "Consumption of this 
beverage will significantly increase the probability of you spontaneously 
battering your loved-ones." Alcohol is the problem in this country. It 
makes innocent, harmless people freak out and inexplicably turn violent. 
What is all this hogwash about psychology and emotional problems? That's 
just a propaganda ploy of the capitalist distilleries. And consequently, 
Prozac, Paxil, and Ritalin are now readily prescribed to combat the 
poisoning effects of booze. Drugs are the answer, but we've yet to mainline 
enough of them into the bastard drunkards. We need more, for even Viagra is 
unable to combat the venom; after the distraction peters out, the user's 
characteristic anti-social aggressions are yet again revived. So, let the 
people smoke pot and it will all get better.

Tvert's organization says it best. The Web site states: "SAFER does not 
encourage the use of marijuana. [...] It is time our laws stop encouraging 
the use of alcohol and allow adults to make the rational decision to make 
the safer choice to use marijuana." Isn't it all so clear? It's nice to 
know organizations have their heads on straight. End domestic violence: 
legalize marijuana. Denver: the mile-high city.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom