I would like to share why I support the legalization of marijuana. For starters, marijuana never should have been made illegal. Its prohibition was made possible only through terrifying lies. It is nontoxic and beneficial; and our cannabis laws honestly do cause a tremendous amount of pain, which radiates negatively throughout our community. I know because I've experienced this personally and through too many friends and family members. The main reason I want our cannabis laws abolished is to put a large dent in the number of unwarranted searches our police are performing each year. A search may not sound like much, but let me assure you, it is infuriating and humiliating, and its effects last for years. [continues 79 words]
Mr. Wooldridge is so right - when will we ever remember the lesson we learned with Alcohol Prohibition? In my opinion, drug prohibition only continues because it is exciting, lucrative and easy work -- for both sides. We need to get educated about what these illegal drugs really are. Most people will be surprised to learn that alcohol is the absolute worst. We can live without eagerly destroying the families of people who use substances that are safer than alcohol. Melanie Marshall, Bellevue, Neb. [end]
Thank you for printing the article, "Former police officer makes case for legalization of drugs." After 10 years of searching, I have yet to find many benefits from waging this expensive war on our own citizens. Retired officer Tony Ryan is correct when he compares drug prohibition to alcohol prohibition, but the main difference is that we are more familiar with alcohol and accept it, even though it's the most dangerous drug we play with. Our illegal drugs aren't nearly as dangerous as alcohol, but we are ignorant and fearful of them, so this war continues. [continues 177 words]
(Re "Marijuana and Scripture") just dropping in to say that I completely agree. The drug war is based on hate, violence and lies, the very things Jesus does not want us indulging in, as tempting and fun as they are. Please keep looking into and reporting the truth, then implore our leaders to base laws on science, peace and truth. Our drug war is as shameful as witch burning (I can't believe good Christians actually did this, but they did, didn't they?), slavery (ditto), and alcohol prohibition (which caused massive corruption and crime). Melanie Marshall Jacksonville Beach [end]
The things Karen Hayes of the Anti-Drug Coalition says about the dangers of marijuana are not true. They do a good job of keeping people afraid of pot, but they are false. Yes, some people will not tolerate the effects of cannabis well, but most people do. The truth is, cannabis is safer than cigarettes or alcohol, and no one should be caged for choosing the safest alternative. We parents would be glad to teach our children about the harmful substances they will encounter, but we must have honest information before we can. After spending seven years researching cannabis prohibition, I do not appreciate the fact that we are paying $23 million a day to educate falsely and punish millions who have no victims. If you really want to help kids save their brains from destruction, please focus on activities that will actually harm them, such as inhaling household chemicals. I believe we can tell the truth and still teach them how to say no. Melanie Marshall Bellevue, Neb. [end]
I couldn't agree more with Attorney General John Suthers when he said, "I understand the debate about legalization and whether our drug laws are constructive. But I wish we would have a full-out debate instead of these peripheral issues that accomplish just about nothing." We need that "full-out debate" because marijuana is truly safe to legalize. Decades of misinformation have done a number on us all, and it's time we look for ways to correct our shameful laws - laws that do nothing but force decent citizens to enrich the crooked justice system. Good for Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation for bringing this matter to the nation's attention. The sooner we get to the truth about marijuana, the better. Melanie Marshall, Leavenworth, Kan. [end]
(Re: "Green butter," Wayne's Word, March 24.) I enjoyed this column very much. It was the epitome of reason and of the tolerance that should be more mainstream in America. It will be an exciting day when Congress agrees to treat marijuana like alcohol. It's coming! Melanie Marshall/Monterey Calif. [end]
I am ashamed that we are paying Dr. Andrea Barthwell to lie to us. A doctor should honestly know the truth about such a simple subject. The plain truth is that cannabis has not killed one person in the 5,000 years of its use. It is less addictive that cigarettes, and it is less mind-altering than alcohol. Why should it be so surprising that the plant, cannabis sativa, could be so medically beneficial when so may pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants? It is because we have been told for more than 70 years that marijuana, the flower of cannabis, is a dangerous drug that will ruin lives. [continues 79 words]
Thank you for recently publishing letters suggesting serious changes to our drug policies, especially the recent letter headlined "Cannabis gets unfair reputation." I've been watching the war on drugs for about seven years and think drug laws exist because certain people are making money from their sale, with prices boosted by their illegality. America's drug policies should be completely overhauled to be based on science and medicine, not fear and illegal profit. Please ask your representative in Congress to consider legalization. [continues 128 words]
Marijuana prohibition hurts more people than marijuana ever could. There is no reason to arrest and jail responsible marijuana users. Marijuana simply is not dangerous, and the belief otherwise is doing America harm. Consider that cigarettes cause 400,000 deaths a year while marijuana has no history of causing any death. The laws are not consistent. Last year, $7.5 billion was spent on marijuana prohibition and 700,000 people were arrested. Thousands of jail spaces are taken up by these victimless criminals, while level three sex offenders are out. [continues 101 words]
