Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jul 2005
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Jose Melendez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

ANTI-POT LAWS ARE DESTROYING LIVES

In a July 19 letter to The Herald-Dispatch titled "With Drug Trade, Too 
Many Look Other Way," the writer ironically touches on the absurdity of 
laws that have resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of 
incarcerations, yet calls the comparison of the drug war to the Holocaust 
absurd.

For the record, many millions of Americans die each decade from the use of 
legal alternatives to marijuana. At any given time, more than 2 million are 
behind bars for drugs, their lives destroyed, businesses ruined and 
possessions confiscated, all because our "leaders" look the other way.

The active, nontoxic ingredients in marijuana have been shown to 
effectively ameliorate pain, reduce nausea and combat stress with fewer 
side effects than those caused by deadly, defective yet approved 
medications and intoxicants.

Fifteen of the top donors listed on the Partnership for a Drug-Free America 
Web site are pharmaceutical interests, yet this self evident truth 
consistently remains undisclosed in newspaper editorials and public service 
announcements.

Since nearly 100 million citizens admit to having used pot, exactly who is 
looking the other way?

Absurd, indeed.

Jose Melendez

DeLand, Fla 
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MAP posted-by: Beth