Pubdate: [Thu, 05 Sep 1996]
Source: Spokesman-Review, Spokane (WA)
Author: Rand Clifford

Are money and taxes important to you? Please consider how much of your
money is spent tracking down, trying and incarcerating marijuana smokers.

Forget that perhaps 30 million American adults use marijuana with virtually
no ill effects. Ignore the fact that every 60 seconds, another American is
arrested for using something far less harmful than the drugs it is
classified with--even far less harmful than alcohol and tobacco.

Ignore the growing assault on the Bill of Rights. Forget how much money
pours into organized crime, thanks to our stupid marijuana laws.  Just
think about the enormous governmental monster gobbling your money to fight
something less harmful than the monster itself. It's a monster feeding out
of control, a malignancy with an appetite that only grows.  It's something
to which $1 billion is a mere crumb.

Ultimately, the monster stands between the people and fantastic economic
and environmental benefits of an industrial hemp renaissance. It's your
money--and lots of it--feeding an enormous failure. Humans will always use
marijuana and other drugs. This is a health problem, not a criminal problem.

One thing about the truth: The longer it's hidden, the harder it is to
suppress. If your sick of feeding the monster of stupid marijuana laws,
learn the truth.

Rand Clifford
Spokane, WA