Pubdate: Wed, 22 Apr 2009
Source: Daily Lobo (U of NM, Edu, NM)
Copyright: 2009 Daily Lobo
Contact: http://www.dailylobo.com/main.cfm?include=submit
Website: http://www.dailylobo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/766
Author: Jeffrey Waldo

POT KEPT ILLEGAL FOR ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF FIRMS, GOVERNMENT

Editor,

"Counterculture"? Seems to me marijuana usage is more mainstream 
these days. There are lots of people who indulge in the green, not 
saying any names, but governors, professors, M.D.s, organization 
officials, law graduates, undergraduates, etc. Hell, there's even a 
restaurant designed to tap the pot-smoker market: Cheba Hut. So why 
is it illegal?

My notions say it is all about money. There are far too many 
big-money firms interested in keeping marijuana illicit - prisons, 
pharmacies, and the government, to name a few. All have a stake in 
this drug's legal status. The DEA would have to cut out a major 
portion of its offices if weed became legal. Prisons would no longer 
serve the millions they need to receive their head-count payment from 
the government, and prescription drug companies would lose out when 
customers realize pot does the job better.

Marijuana's illegal status serves many purposes in the U.S. economy. 
Worse, it also adds incentive to violent gang formation south of the 
border. I'm sorry, stoners. Legalization is not going to happen 
anytime soon. Remember, it's not your fault; it's the government's.

Jeffrey Waldo

UNM student
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart