Pubdate: Sun, 16 May 2010 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2010 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Robert Sharpe Note: Title By Newshawk Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor JUST SAY NO TO THE AMERICAN INQUISITION Canadian marijuana activist and seed salesman Marc Emery is officially a political prisoner. If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal. At a time when state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, the U.S. government is prepared to spend a small fortune incarcerating Emery for five years. The Canadian government should be ashamed of its role in this travesty. There is no justification for criminalizing citizens who prefer marijuana to martinis. It's a fact: marijuana prohibition failed. The U.S. continues to have higher rates of use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. Canada should Just Say No to the American Inquisition. Robert Sharpe, Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy (There are much better ways to lower drug use.)