Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX) Copyright: 2012 Austin American-Statesman Contact: http://www.statesman.com/default/content/feedback/lettersubmit.html Website: http://www.statesman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32 Author: Mariann Garner-Wizard UNDERSTANDING DRUG WAR Re: July 8 article, "Dems' leader looks to turnout." Leaders should really educate themselves. Possession of small amounts of marijuana is already a misdemeanor, and people in Texas, like Americans elsewhere, are tired of the whole "drug war." Cannabis is not a drug; nor a mistake. People who use it are not wayward youths. The drug war, a bipartisan tragedy, costs millions their freedoms, and because of increasing cartel violence, costs innocent lives. Cannabis, an infinitely renewable, nontoxic, biodegradable source of nutritious food, fuel, fiber for paper, fabric and industry, and valuable medicine, was given to humanity by God. Capitalist greed, nothing more, keeps it illegal. I won't vote anymore for any candidate of any party for any office who won't work to legalize it. Mariann Garner-Wizard Austin - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom