Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 Source: Arizona Republic (AZ) Copyright: 2002 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Deborah Layton Note: The writer is 15 years old. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) POT GIVEAWAY IN CALIF. SETS A BAD EXAMPLE Regarding the article of Wednesday, Sept. 18, "Leaders in Santa Cruz, Calif., support pot giveaway." Santa Cruz is letting the world know how compassionate they can be, by passing out pot to sick people. Do they actually believe it is going to help them? I think not. These people will just be adding an addiction to their sickness. More than 1,000 people showed up in support, and some lit up marijuana cigarettes at this "drug-free" gathering. The article does not make it clear if these people were smoking it for medicinal reasons or not. Leaders in Santa Cruz supported the giveaway. This disturbed me very much. It isn't only users or addicts that want pot legalized, it is leaders. Young people can now look to these leaders and say: "They get to do it, why can't we?" Being a teenager, I think these people aren't being very good examples. Next time you're appalled at the high rate of marijuana use in America, just remember, to Santa Cruz leaders it is only a show of compassion. Deborah Layton, Globe - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager