Pubdate: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 Source: Pasadena Star-News, The (CA) Copyright: 2009 Pasadena Star News Contact: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/writealetter Website: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/728 Author: David R. Ford Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n148.a04.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n180.a03.html MARIJUANA VS. TOBACCO Re Michael Phelps: For more than 60 years I have been a marijuana researcher and author of two books on this subject. The Drug Enforcement Administration's own Judge Young, after two years of research, stated: "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically substances known to man." The government has not been able to prove one toxicity-related death from cannabis. Compare that to nicotine products that kill 400,000 Americans each year and to alcohol, responsible for more than 100,000 deaths a year. At worst pot it is nature's tranquilizer, and not to be used by students. However, at rock concerts police generally look the other way, knowing that pot is the least harmful, and excellent for crowd control. Government lies about this plant continue, including that it has no medical value. I am offering the DEA one million dollars in cash to prove it a lie. A dangerous drug is one that causes death, and or mayhem. Marijuana causes neither. It should be regulated and treated like alcohol. David R. Ford Sonoma - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin