Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2014
Source: Rappahannock News (VA)
Copyright: Times Community Newspapers 2014
Contact:  http://www.rappnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3690
Author: Stan White
Page: 4
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n457/a02.html

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA COULD HELP ADDICTS

If Americans honestly want to lower heroin addiction rates as last
week's story suggests ["Heroin: It's here, and there are
consequences"], they should end marijuana prohibition. An important
reason to end marijuana prohibition that doesn't get mentioned is
because a ban increases hard drug addiction rates by putting citizens
who choose to use the relatively safe plant into contact with people
who often also sell hard drugs.

Furthermore, the government claims heroin is no worse than marijuana -
and that methamphetamine and cocaine are less harmful drugs - by
insisting marijuana is a schedule I substance (alongside heroin),
while methamphetamine and cocaine are only schedule II substances.

How many citizens tried marijuana and realized it is not nearly as
dangerous as claimed and believed other substances must not be either
- - only to find themselves addicted to hard drugs? Can the message from
marijuana prohibitionists be any worse for vulnerable citizens?

STAN WHITE

Dillon, Colo.
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MAP posted-by: Matt