Pubdate: Thu, 17 Nov 2005
Source: Voice, The (CN BC Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Langara College
Contact:  http://www.langara.bc.ca/voice/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3592
Author: Robert Sharpe
Note: headline by  MAP
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1731.a05.html

PUNITIVE DRUG LAWS DO NOT STOP DRUG USE

Kristen Thompson is to be commended for exposing the myth that
punitive marijuana laws deter use in her Nov. 3rd op-ed. Here in the
United States, the steady rise in warrantless police searches,
drug-sniffing dogs in schools and random drug testing have led to a
loss of civil liberties, while failing miserably at preventing
marijuana use. The University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future
survey reports lifetime use of marijuana is higher in the U.S. 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.

Despite evidence that punitive laws fail to deter use, the former land
of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated
continues to uses its superpower status to export a dangerous moral
crusade around the globe. The short term health effects of marijuana
are inconsequential compared to long term effects of criminal records.

Unfortunately, marijuana represents the counterculture to North
Americans intent on prosecuting their version of morality.

Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy Analyst

Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin