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
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake