Pubdate: Fri,  5 Aug 2005
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2005 Duluth News-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553
Author: Stan White
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1202/a06.html?100785

CANNABIS LAWS CONSTRICT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

I appreciated your editorial helping expose the price of cannabis 
prohibition ("Enforcing marijuana laws wastes time, money," July 29), but 
there is another higher price that must be grasped.

The price of cannabis prohibition is freedom of religion.

People have used cannabis for spiritual religious reasons throughout 
history. That the U.S. would prohibit this spiritually implicated plant is 
a blatant failure to allow an environment conducive to honest freedom of 
religion.

Fact is, the U.S. government perpetuates a dark, bloody, biblically sinful 
battle to eliminate cannabis and the cannabis culture. This isn't just a 
corporation lying about a product; this is a government stating they 
promote freedom of religion, yet denying my historical legitimate religious 
culture. That's not freedom of religion.

By extension, the price of cannabis prohibition is peace. My culture 
believes cannabis is the tree of life as written about in Revelation 22 and 
is for the healing of nations. Without the tree of life, what will heal the 
nations? Exterminate cannabis, the tree of life, and how will the nations heal?

The cost of cannabis prohibition is higher than the buzz itself.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.
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