Pubdate: Tue, 07 Sep 1999
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 1999 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://www.seattletimes.com/
Author:  Bruce Petersen, Seattle

DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA

The article Aug. 29 on the binge-drinking situation at WSU was very
enlightening.

The toll of alcohol abuse by students is staggering. Yet, even when
considering the damage and pathology caused by America's favorite drug, one
thing that is never suggested is to outlaw the substance.

Why? Because we tried that once, and we discovered that criminalizing booze
led to greater problems than the booze itself.

Given that knowledge, why can't we apply our experience with alcohol to
America's second-favorite drug, marijuana? Criminalizing users and growers
of marijuana leads to far greater problems than the drug itself, which is
fairly harmless compared to alcohol.

Bruce Petersen, Seattle 

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