Pubdate: Tue, 7 Jul 2009
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2009 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/aboutus/feedback/index.html
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Dan Linn

KIRK SWIMS AGAINST THE TIDE

Congressman Mark Kirk's proposed legislation increasing penalties for
"super pot" is a blatant attempt to shore up conservative credentials
following his recent divorce and desire to seek higher office. At a
time when some states are looking to tax and regulate cannabis to help
with struggling budgets (California and Massachusetts) and others are
passing or at least considering medical cannabis programs (13 states
have medical cannabis laws), Rep. Kirk thinks a lock 'em up and throw
away the key approach will eliminate dealers. The proposed bill is
nothing more than political chest thumping.

It is too bad that Kirk, whose Web site claims he is "pro-science" and
"pro-personal responsibility," does not look to science or concepts
like responsibility and liberty when introducing federal legislation.
The science behind "super pot" or "kush" or any THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol) substance is that all of them have a toxicity
level in humans that is practically unattainable. Nobody has ever
overdosed and died from cannabis. Furthermore, there is a
pharmaceutical pill that contains 100 percent THC that doctors can
prescribe.

If Kirk wants to keep cannabis out of the hands of children, he should
move to end cannabis prohibition and regulate the market, since kush
dealers don't card, but a government-licensed store would. Cannabis
prohibition spawns the same ill effects that alcohol prohibition did,
and it is time for our leaders to recognize this and regulate the
adult cannabis market, not increase prison sentences.

Dan Linn, executive director

Illinois Chapter of NORML 
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