Pubdate: Mon, 28 Apr 2008
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2008 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n416/a01.html
Author: Kirk Muse

LICENSE ILLEGAL DRUGS

Jody Weller's April 22 letter, "Review sentencing laws," is on target.
Imagine if the United States was once again the "Land of the Free"
instead of one of the most incarcerated nations in the history of
human civilization. Imagine if the American people could feel safe in
their own homes and on the streets of our cities. Imagine if we had no
drug-related crime. Imagine if our overall crime rate was a small
fraction of our current crime rate.

Prior to the passage of the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914, the term
"drug-related crime" didn't exist. And drug lords, drug cartels or
even drug dealers as we know them today, didn't exist either. Back
then, all types of recreational drugs were legally sold to anybody
with no questions asked, for pennies per dose in grocery stores and
pharmacies.

Did we have a lot more drug addicts then compared to now? No. We had
about the same percentage of our population addicted to drugs
according to U. S. District Court judge John L. Kane of Colorado.

Can we re-legalize our now illegal drugs and sell them licensed
business establishments? This would put the drug dealers and drug
lords out of business.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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