Pubdate: Thu, 07 May 2009
Source: Kansas State Collegian (KS Edu)
Copyright: 2009 Kansas State Collegian
Contact:  http://kstatecollegian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2850
Author: Kyle Patterson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n494/a12.html

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION NEEDS EQUAL EXPOSURE

Editor,

After reading the article on the legalization of marijuana, I was let 
down. One article was a brief, vague and weak argument on why to not 
legalize marijuana. It was followed by a narrative, that after 
reading a few times, still has no point, nor does it address 
legalization/decriminalization. Therefore, I would like to send this 
out to educate and debate the other side.

First, Frank Male has an issue with the fact that legalization would 
increase government bureaucracy. We are in a horrible economy; people 
are getting laid off left and right. In a worst-case scenario in 
which the government can't afford to create jobs, let farmers, 
gardeners, florists, anyone start growing. It's agriculture. Unlike 
cigarettes and alcohol, marijuana is a plant. It grows. It's ready. 
If corn got you high, would you have the same problem?

Next, it would be much cheaper: No dealer can undercut mass 
production and the dreaded middle man. It doesn't even have to be 
regulated -- let people grow it in their homes.

The article also goes on to talk about the health effects of 
marijuana. It lists, "It does nothing good to your lungs, works as a 
great demotivator and can ruin your life" ... I'm sorry, but if those 
are the only negatives, how is it not legal?

Here's another list: emphysema, heart attacks, strokes, chronic 
obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Guess what that is. Here's 
a clue: It has 4,000 chemicals.

Alcohol, another winner for good health, causes alcoholism, cirrhosis 
of the liver, cardiovascular disease and cancer to name a few. Not to 
mention the hangovers, violence, rapes and suicides all caused by 
alcohol. If you are talking health, marijuana might be the most 
healthy vice around.

Great demotivator" -- I'm writing this. Saying that using it "can 
ruin your life" as a reason to not legalize marijuana is ridiculous. 
Anything can ruin someone's life, from an individual to a group, a 
company, another vice, environmental disasters, food. Obesity is 
becoming as big of a problem as smoking. Do you want to only legalize 
healthy foods? The article ends with the quote, "I prefer my 
bourbon." Sounds like an alcoholic to me.

The problem with that is that marijuana, like it or not, is a huge 
part of our culture, especially as college students. If a part of our 
culture is going to be negatively represented, it should be equally 
represented. If a parade of people walked the streets for civil 
rights, no one would condemn them.

However, if a parade was held for marijuana, they would all be 
labeled "potheads." Good people are going to jail, some getting 
killed. Lives are getting ruined because marijuana is illegal, and 
the government can cut jail costs and lives by just giving the people 
the "forbidden fruit."

Marijuana is a civil rights issue and should be treated as a civil 
rights issue.

Kyle Patterson

Freshman in mechanical engineering
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom