Pubdate: Thu, 29 Mar 2007
Source: Rebel Yell, The (U of NV at Las Vegas, NV Edu)
Copyright: 2007 The Rebel Yell
Contact: http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/letters_to_the_editor.php
Website: http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1362
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n375/a05.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

BONG HITS 4 POLICY?

Regarding Nur Kausar's Mar. 22nd op-ed:

Alcohol kills more Americans each year than all illegal drugs
combined. Prescription overdose deaths are now second only to
motor-vehicle crashes as a cause of death from unintentional injury.
Television is filled with pro-drug messages paid for by alcohol and
pharmaceutical companies. The Bush administration doesn't have a
problem with corporate drug pushers. But hoist a "Bong Hits 4 Jesus"
banner at an off-campus high school rally in Alaska, and they will
fight you all the way to the Supreme Court. It is not clear how this
nonsensical phrase somehow merits limiting free speech.

Culture warriors in the White House seem to think the war on pot is
more important than the Constitution. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop
there. By raiding medical marijuana providers in California, the very
same Bush 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 too. Students who want to help end the
intergenerational culture war otherwise known as the war on some drugs
should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at
www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake