Pubdate: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 Source: City on a Hill Press (UC Santa Cruz, CA, Edu) Copyright: 2009 City on a Hill Press Contact: http://www.cityonahillpress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4753 Author: Stan White Note: Title by Newhawk Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n264/a07.html RE-LEGALIZE THIS PLANT Dear Editor of City on a Hill Press, Another beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) that doesnt get mentioned (Puff, Puff, Pass This Bill, Mar. 5, 2009) is that it will lower hard drug addiction rates. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) will have to stop brainwashing youth into believing lies, half-truths and propaganda concerning cannabis, which creates grave future problems. How many citizens try cannabis and realize its 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 its less addictive than coffee and has 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 Americas children and adults, that dangerous and irresponsible message absolutely must change. Further, regulated cannabis sales would make it so that citizens who purchase cannabis would not come into contact with people who often also sell hard drugs, which would lower hard drug addiction rates. Truthfully, Stan White Dillon, Colo. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin