Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 Source: Maui News, The (HI) Copyright: 2008 The Maui News Contact: http://www.mauinews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259 Author: Ilima Davis MARIJUANA BAN ADDS TO COSTS IN THE COMMUNITY The marijuana laws and the consequences of keeping weed illegal do more harm to the general population than allowing folks to smoke it. Its illegality raises its street value, causing burglaries and violence. Families are separated and jails are overflowing. A lot of money is made in the enforcement, court system and punishment industry, creating an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. The so-called dangers of allowing pot to be used as medicine or even small amounts of recreational use are not as bad as the damage caused by criminals due to banning it. Patients who find relief from nausea, pain and other conditions must suffer from the stigma as there is no legal dispensary available for them. Many aren't in the position to grow a few plants and they have to hide from burglars to whom the stuff is like cash. Transporting it by mail, by plane or by car to get these meds to their home is illegal. It's time to stop the brainwashing about this herb. I know a 63-year old-cancer patient who is wasting away, but this herb increases his appetite and keeps him alive a few years longer. As a society we tend to believe that legal is also pono. It ain't necessarily so. Ilima Davis Kaunakakai - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin