Pubdate: Thu, 21 Sep 2006
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2006 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1230/a05.html

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

Regarding Miryam Wiley's Sept. 16th column: If health outcomes 
determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal.

Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose 
death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. 
Marijuana can be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate 
as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents. The first 
marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican migration during 
the early 1900s, despite opposition from the American Medical Association.

Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been 
counterproductive at best.

White Americans did not even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be 
entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness 
propaganda. By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in 
California, the very same U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that 
claims illicit drug use funds terrorism is forcing cancer and AIDS 
patients into the hands of street dealers. Apparently marijuana 
prohibition is more important than protecting the country from terrorism.

ROBERT SHARPE, MPA,

Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman