Pubdate: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 Source: Oklahoma Daily, The (U of Oklahoma, OK Edu) Copyright: 2010 The Oklahoma Daily Contact: http://www.oudaily.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1371 Author: Stan White Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n297/a09.html IMPORTANT EFFECTS OF LEGALIZING POT Re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) alone will lower incarceration rates. Ending cannabis prohibition will also reduce hard drug addiction rates, which in turn lowers crime rates. Responsible adults who use the relatively safe, God-given plant cannabis often purchase it from people who also sell hard drugs, which increases the likelihood of hard drug addiction. RE-legalizing cannabis will eliminate that gateway effect. Another reason cannabis prohibition increases hard drug addiction rates is due to DARE telling lies, half-truths and propaganda regarding the plant. How many people heard DARE say cannabis was very bad and then realize it's not nearly as bad as claimed and think other substances must not be so bad either only to become addicted to honest hard drugs? Further, ending the sequel to prohibition will save wasted valuable limited law enforcement resources, read taxes. It may also decrease alcoholism and contempt for laws and government. Legalizing cannabis is one of the most important issues of our time. Truthfully, Stan White Dillon, Colorado - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake