Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2009
Source: Rebel Yell, The (U of NV at Las Vegas, NV Edu)
Copyright: 2009 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
Author: Stan White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n201/a01.html

Re: SPEAKER REBUTS DRUG POLICY

To the Editor,

Stephen H. Frye hit the bull's-eye calling for credible drug law 
reform (Speaker Rebuts Drug Policy, Feb. 19, 2009) and that means 
Re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) at the very least.

One beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis that doesn't get 
mentioned is that it will lower hard drug addiction rates. DARE (Drug 
Abuse Resistance Education) brainwashes youth into believing lies, 
half-truths and propaganda concerning cannabis, which causes grave 
future problems.

How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful 
as taught in DARE type government environments? Then they think other 
substances must not be so bad either, only to become addicted to 
deadly drugs. The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst 
substances in the world, even though it's never killed a single person.

The federal government even classifies cannabis as a Schedule I 
substance along with heroin, while methamphetamine and cocaine are 
only Schedule II substances. For the health and welfare of America's 
children and adults that message absolutely must change.

Regulated cannabis sales also would make it so citizens who purchase 
cannabis would not come into contact with people who often also sell 
hard drugs which would lower hard drug addiction rates.

Stan White
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