Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jul 2005
Source: Monitor, The (McAllen, TX)
Copyright: 2005 The Monitor
Contact:  http://www.themonitor.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1250
Author: Jerry Epstein
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1010/a08.html

A rational drug policy

To the editor:

Thanks for the summary on medical marijuana ("Down, but not out:
Ruling against medical pot may help cause," June 23). The apparent
passage of a bill in Rhode Island on the heels of the Supreme Court
decision speaks well for the ultimate triumph of compassion, reason
and the people's voice.

Meanwhile in Texas, a bill failed that would only have allowed a jury
to hear evidence that a defendant was using marijuana for medical purposes.

In a state where some 75 percent of citizens approve of medical use
and government estimates some 80,000 teens sell marijuana to class
mates -- enough for one in every classroom from eighth grade on,
courtesy of prohibition and the illegal drug trade that tempts and
employs the young -- we had better wonder if the fanaticism and
official misinformation displayed regarding medical marijuana has
infected our ability to act rationally on any matter of drug policy.

Jerry Epstein,

Houston
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