Pubdate: Tue, 26 May 2009 Source: Garden Island (Lihue, HI) Copyright: 2009 Kauai Publishing Co. Contact: http://kauaiworld.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964 Author: Zeenice Roja ALCOHOL VS. MARIJUANA First off, I will say I don't smoke marijuana nor do I judge the people that do, there's only one who can judge, and that's God. If people want to smoke, it's up to them. Marijuana does not make people violent and abusive toward their family members or friends. Alcohol sure does, why is it legal is my question? Alcohol has a long-term effect on our body, just as much as marijuana, but yet it's looked at as the norm to go out and get drunk, but the minute there's marijuana involved, it's the world's biggest sin. Our prisons are overpopulated with marijuana possession charges, and the taxpayers are paying for it. I'd rather see my money go somewhere productive, like the Boys and Girls Club. We spend millions on trying to eradicate the plants and dealers with the FBI and local law enforcement, but yet "ice" rules the streets. All because it's a federal law. Marijuana doesn't make our world a dangerous place. Yea, it can make it a unproductive one, but if people want to smoke and it makes them feel better, then so be it. I'd rather see that then all the money wasted on trying to eradicate it, money that could go to rehab programs to keep people drug-free, or programs for the youth of today, so they don't feel the need to go and get high. People are going to smoke no matter what, so legalize it and tax it, but that's only my opinion. Zeenice Roja, Kapa'a - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom