Pubdate: Sat, 06 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: David Hopkins
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1202/a06.html

TIME HAS COME TO END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Ronald Fraser's explanation about how marijuana laws waste time and money 
is a fresh breath of clear thinking in the July 29 column "Enforcing 
marijuana laws wastes time, money."

Contrasting the reefer madness insanity that drives marijuana prohibition 
and the drug war on law-abiding citizens, Fraser's column is striking.

In a society where dangerous alcoholic beverages and tobacco products can 
be regulated well enough to permit social use, marijuana is a snap. If 
marijuana is decriminalized, the value that Fraser describes can be much 
more than saving police resources, prison costs and young lives being 
derailed by wrongful criminalization.

The value of decriminalizing marijuana extends to other benefits of using 
cannabis in medicine, agriculture and industry. The plant provides superior 
fibers that outperform poplar forests and cotton fields. The fibers are 
tough enough for building products and resilient enough for durable 
clothing. Cannabis oils can be used in many ways including fuel supplements 
for motors. Hemp in medicinal compounds safely augments pain management, 
appetite stimulates and has so many applications that volumes of 
substantiating research is published.

The legalization of cannabis would make social and economic benefits soar, 
possibly to the point of saving an economy stressed by warfare. The 
government subsidy to grow hemp implemented during WWII is a program to 
re-visit.

I support Fraser's conclusion that enforcing marijuana laws is a waste. I 
support the suggestion that municipalities and states take some action to 
help reverse the damage caused by the prohibition of marijuana.

DAVID HOPKINS

SUPERIOR
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