Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jun 2008
Source: Daily Mississippian (U of MS Edu)
Copyright: 2008 The Daily Mississippian
Contact:  http://www.thedmonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1345
Author: Tim Summers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)
Cited: http://norml.org/ National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

NORML DIRECTOR SEEKS POT REGULATION, EDUCATION

The response of marijuana advocacy groups concerning the steady 
increase of the drug's potency has revealed an underground debate of 
whether marijuana is a harmful narcotic or a recreational drug, and 
the groups involved vary from the U.S. federal government and local 
law enforcement organizations to college students and scientists.

Founded in 1970, the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws (NORML) has provided a voice in the public policy 
debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor 
an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers, the NORML Web site said.

NORML claims to represent the interests of millions of Americans who 
smoke marijuana responsibly, the Web site said.

"Even by the University of Mississippi's own admission, the average 
THC in domestically grown marijuana - which comprises the bulk of the 
US market - is less than five percent, a figure that's remained 
unchanged for nearly a decade," NORML deputy director Paul Armentano 
wrote in a letter sent to the editorial staff in the Tuesday issue of 
The Daily Mississippian.

The deputy director did not address the alleged connection between 
mental illness and marijuana use in his letter, but did later in a 
phone interview.

"Nobody really knows the answer," Armentano said. "We know those who 
suffer from depression and anxiety sometimes abuse substances like 
alcohol and cigarettes."

Armentano said although he has not seen any research directly linking 
marijuana use and mental illness, he would not advise those with 
mental illness or a family history of mental illness to use marijuana.

"Use of any intoxicant has a risk," Armentano said.

NORML supports regulation and education, he said.

A "targeted education campaign" similar to that of the recent alcohol 
campaigns would allow the general public to be educated about 
marijuana and its effects; regulation would ensure the product being 
sold was taxed and safe for the public to consume, he said.

The argument for regulation is that the government currently has no 
control over the drug market, Armentano said.

Regulation could end the "anarchy" that exists within the system, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom