Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2003
Source: Union-News (MA)
Copyright: 2003 Union-News
Contact:  http://www.masslive.com/unionnews/index.ssf
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/860
Author: Terry Franklin

LEGISLATURE MUST REFORM OUR STAGNANT DRUG POLICY

This month, the Legislature will finally begin to look into reforming our 
stagnant drug policies. It is long overdue. The current prohibition is an 
expensive anachronism that continues to inflict untold harm on the citizens 
of our commonwealth.

Shouldn't we aspire to a better society, where witch-hunting, scapegoating, 
and other appeals to the baser human instincts are not the path to power 
for our politicians? And where the control over a person's body is their 
own, not the government's?

Let us hope that the debate on Beacon Hill results in real, meaningful 
change. I realize that the "political realities" this year will limit the 
focus to "soft drugs," probably only marijuana. Even so, it is important 
for a final bill to legalize not only possession, but sale as well (perhaps 
through liquor stores).
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens