Pubdate: Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2004 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n345/a07.html

A FREE COUNTRY

Mesa, Ariz. -- I'm writing about Michael R. Butz's outstanding letter,
"Drug policies" (Voice of the people, Feb. 28). One issue Butz didn't
cover is the right of a free country's government to dictate which
substances adult citizens may or may not consume, even in the privacy
of one's own home. If our government can dictate which (politically
selected) recreational drugs we may or may not consume (Viagra is OK,
marijuana is not), it can also dictate which foods we may or may not
eat, even in the privacy of our own homes.

Our government cannot protect adult citizens from themselves and our
government has no legitimate right attempting to do so. A free country
should be . . . a free country.

Kirk Muse
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake