Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2006
Source: Scotsman (UK)
Copyright: 2006 The Scotsman Publications Ltd
Contact: http://members.scotsman.com/contact.cfm
Website: http://www.scotsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n999/a03.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

ANTI-CANNABIS CRUSADE

In response to your report "MPs call for drugs to be classified on 
basis of risks" (31 July), the most widely used illicit drug is 
cannabis, which occupies the place of alcohol in many non-Western 
countries. Unlike alcohol, cannabis has never been shown to cause an 
overdose death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco.

If health outcomes determined drugs laws instead of cultural norms, 
cannabis would be legal. And, in spite of clear evidence that 
draconian drug laws fail to deter use, the United States government 
is exporting a dangerous moral crusade around the world.

Unfortunately, cannabis represents the counterculture to misguided 
reactionaries, intent on forcibly imposing their version of morality.

Cannabis can be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate 
as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents. Britain should 
"just say no" to the American inquisition.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, DC USA
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake