NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Rev. Edwin Sanders says churches should help heal the sick, feed the hungry and set prisoners free. Even if they smoke pot. Sanders, pastor of Metropolitan Interdenominational Church in Nashville, is part of a group of clergy who want to end the war on drugs by decriminalizing drug use. Sanders said the so-called war on drugs has failed for two reasons. First, he said, addiction to drugs is a disease, not a crime. "You don't criminalize and incarcerate people who have a disease," Sanders said. "You treat and care for them." [continues 302 words]
Drug Laws Not Enforced Fairly, Clergy at Nashville Conference Say The Rev. Edwin Sanders says churches should help heal the sick, feed the hungry and set prisoners free. Even if they smoke pot. Sanders, pastor of Metropolitan Interdenominational Church in Nashville, is part of a group of clergy who want to end the war on drugs by decriminalizing drug use. They met this week in Nashville at American Baptist College. Sanders said the so-called war on drugs has failed for two reasons. First, he said, addiction to drugs is a disease, not a crime. [continues 705 words]