Thanks for publishing Kathy Inman's outstanding letter: "Marijuana Solution" (Feb. 11). I'd like to add that about seven years ago before and after my hip-replacement surgery, I was taking about six Vicodin tablets every day.Now, thanks to medical marijuana, I take no pain pills. Vicodin can and does kill thousands of people every year. Cannabis, on the other hand, has never killed anyone. For those who oppose cannabis use don't buy it. Don't buy it. Don't grow it and don't use it. Period. Kirk Muse Mesa [end]
Editor: Thanks for publishing Rita Shyrocka's outstanding letter: "Crisis is on government's shoulders" (7-19-17). I'd like to add that in 1972, when President Richard Nixon launched the war on drugs, the federal budget for the drug war was $101 million. Last year, the federal budget for the drug was over $25 billion - a 250-fold increase. In 1972, fewer than 5,000 Americans died from illegal drugs. Last year more than 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. [continues 58 words]
I'm writing about your story, "Chicago area men accused of cannabis possession after hotel search," Dec. 9. I wonder if your police department has solved all your robberies and rapes? If not, why are they wasting their time and resources making petty pot busts? Why are the pot busts always in poor neighborhoods? Why don't they make pot busts in affluent neighborhoods like Woodside Drive or homes that back onto the Freeport Country Club fairways? Do the police think people who live in affluent neighborhoods don't use cannabis and buy their cannabis from their neighbors? The real reason is that if the police started busting affluent people for pot, the war on drugs would soon be over. People in affluent neighborhoods have power and influence. People in poor neighborhoods don't. - - Kirk Muse, Mesa, Arizona [end]
I'm writing about the thoughtful column by Georgette Braun, "Belvidere woman seeks guidance from educators, " Oct. 11. It seems to me that all Illinois adults should have the freedom of choice to use cannabis a=C2=80" not just those who need it to treat disease. Cannabis not only relieves pain and suffering, but it also prevents many diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Cannabis is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory substances on the planet, and chronic inflammation is the root cause of most diseases of the human body. I strongly urge the readers to read: a=C2=80=C2=9CThe Pot Book: A Complet e Guide to Cannabis: Its role in Medicine, Politics, Science and Culture." It is edited by Julie Holland, M.D. Kirk Muse, Mesa, Arizona [end]
I agree with the headline of Joe Adam Diaz' Sunday letter: "Don't blame Mexico for our drug problem." However, it's not drug use that causes crime and corruption but rather the criminalization of drugs. How much crime and corruption do we have related to the drug caffeine? None. None whatsoever. If we were to criminalize products containing caffeine the situation would soon change. - - Kirk Muse, Mesa [end]
SIRS, Ia=C2=80=C2=99m writing about Kerri-anne Mesnera=C2=80=C2=99s colum= n: "=C2=80=C2=9CCrime thrives=20 on illegal drugs" (3-Aug-15). Caffeine is a drug. How much crime and corruption do you have associated with it? My guess is none. None whatsoever. Why? It'=C2=80=C2=99s legal. Criminalise caffeine and the situation would soon change. Kirk Muse Mesa, AZ USA [end]
Thanks for publishing Robert Sharpe's thoughtful letter: "Privacy, freedom at stake in drug war" (7-15-15). I'd like to add that many judges and prison wardens have said that 70 to 80 percent of all property crime and violent crime is "drug-related." Actually almost 100 percent of all so-called "drug-related crime" is caused by drug prohibition policies -- not drugs. When Coca-Cola contained cocaine instead of caffeine and sold for 5 cents a bottle, the term "drug-related crime" didn't exist. Neither did drug lords, drug cartels or even drug dealers as we know them today. [continues 110 words]
Marijuana has been quasilegal in the Netherlands for about 40 years, yet the Dutch use cannabis at less than half the rate Americans do ("Legal pot will lead to more addiction," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 25). And they use cocaine and heroin at about a third the rate Americans do. Why? Because in the Netherlands, there is no "lure of the forbidden fruit" like there is in America. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. [end]
I'm writing about: "Debate swirls around weather to decriminalize marijuana in Illinois" (6-27-15). While decriminalization is far superior to our current policies of marijuana criminalization, the answer to our crime problems caused by marijuana criminalization is full legalization. Decriminalization of use is what we had with alcohol during Alcohol Prohibition (producers and suppliers were punished but not consumers). The only answer is full legalization. Only fully legal products can be regulated by any government agency. Only fully legal products can be controlled by any government agency. And only fully legal products can be taxed by any government agency. Decriminalization leaves the control and distribution of marijuana in the hands of criminal gangs. We need full legalization of marijuana like alcohol and tobacco. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. [end]
Sheila Polk, the Yavapai County attorney, is a dangerous woman. When she and others like her lie about and grossly exaggerate the dangers of marijuana, they lose all credibility. When children find out they have been lied to about marijuana, they will make the logical conclusion that they are also being lied to about the dangers of much more dangerous substances like heroin, cocaine, meth and household inhalants. Marijuana has been an illegal substance for 78 years thanks primarily to another drug war cheerleader, Harry Anslinger. Marijuana prohibition has been very successful: successful in creating a huge untaxed, unregulated underground industry controlled by criminal gangs. Kirk Muse, Mesa [end]
This is in response to "Low-level pot offenders in Rock River Valley offered treatment instead of jail," printed in the Journal-Standard. I think that it is noble that pot consumers not be sent to jail for using a natural herb that has never killed anybody. But why treatment? Like millions of others, I am addicted to coffee that contains caffeine. Do I need or want treatment for my coffee addiction? No. How would coffee consumers feel if their nanny-state government criminalized coffee? Probably the same way marijuana consumers feel today. Kirk Muse, former Freeport resident [end]
I am writing about the not-so-thoughtful letter from Mickey Spencer:"Do not legalize marijuana"(3-29-15). Spencer did not mention why why he wants to keep marijuana completely unregulated, untaxed and controlled and distributed only by criminal gangs. Obviously Spencer has never read Clint Werner's outstanding book: "MARIJUANA: GATEWAY TO HEALTH: How cannabis protects us from cancer and Alzheimer's disease." If he had he would learn that not only does cannabis not cause cancer it prevents it. [continues 56 words]
I am writing about Debbie Leininger's not-so-thoughtful "My View" piece: "Marijuana a lethal legacy for future generations." Leininger did not mention why she wants to keep marijuana completely unregulated, untaxed and controlled and distributed only by criminal gangs. Obviously Leininger has never read Clint Werner's outstanding book: "Marijuana Gateway to Health: How Cannabis Protects Us From Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease." If she had, she would learn that not only does cannabis not cause cancer, it prevents it. [continues 70 words]
I am writing about the not-so-thoughtful Feb. 8 letter from Robert F. Becker: "Marijuana is not the answer to our problems." Marijuana is certainly the answer for my chronic pain, which is caused by my spinal stenosis and spinal scoliosis. Two of the medications prescribed by my doctor, Meloxicam and Linsospril, and used as prescribed almost killed me by destroying my kidneys. My bloodwork number, which is supposed to be greater than 61, was down to 17. If that number had gotten down to 15, I probably would have died from kidney failure. All medications have side effects. Marijuana is not really a drug but rather a plant and natural herb - a natural herb that has never killed anyone in the 6,000-year history of its use. Kirk Muse, former Freeport resident [end]
If I were arrested in Nebraska or Oklahoma for possessing a small amount of marijuana, and the arresting officer asked where I got the marijuana, I would say Colorado, and 99 percent of others would probably do the same. Would we rat out a friend, neighbor or co-worker? No. Kirk Muse, Mesa, Ariz. [end]
Thanks for publishing the outstanding letter from Mike Ross: "War on Drugs." In 1963, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech, the United States had about 200,000 total prisoners. Today, largely because of our war-on-drugs policies, the United States has more than 2.2 million prisoners. It's obvious that the so-called war on drugs is actually a war on politically selected people, and black and brown people are the politically selected people. [continues 69 words]
Cannabis helps prevent diseases like Alzheimer's disease and many types of cancer. Cannabis is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory substances on the planet. Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many, if not most, of the diseases of the human body. So why hasn't our government told us about the many health benefits of cannabis? Because they are prevented by law from doing so. The DEA, the Drug Czar's office and the National Institute on Drug Abuse and its employees are all prevented by law to investigate or research any of the many benefits of cannabis consumption. I strongly suggest that the readers read: Clint Werner's outstanding book: "MARIJUANA, GATEWAY TO HEALTH: How Cannabis Protects Us From Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease." Kirk Muse Mesa [end]
This issue is freedom. The freedom of choice for adults ("Pot pushers say legalize," Nov. 7). The freedom of adults to seek their own happiness the way they want without the threat of being arrested and thrown in jail with violent criminals. Those who oppose the use of marijuana are free not to grow it, buy it or use it. - - Kirk Muse, Mesa, Ariz. [end]
Dear Editor: Thanks for publishing Gary Storck's thoughtful letter: "Best help for ALS may be to legalize medical marijuana." I'd like to add that cannabis not only treats ALS and many types of cancer, it can help prevent these diseases. I strongly suggest the readers read Clint Werner's book "Marijuana, Gateway to Health: How cannabis protects us from cancer and Alzheimer's disease." Why has our government not informed us about the many health benefits of cannabis? Because research into cannabis' therapeutic effects is blocked by the government due to its classification in the most restricted category of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Our government can only research and fund research into the potential harms of cannabis, but never any benefits. Is something wrong with this situation? I certainly think so. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. [end]
Regarding "Do voters want to unshackle pot?": Wrong question. The question should be: Do voters want to keep cannabis unregulated, untaxed and controlled by criminal gangs? MESA, ARIZONA [end]
