Pubdate: Fri, 04 Nov 2005
Source: California Aggie, The (UC Davis, CA Edu)
Copyright: 2005sThe California Aggie
Contact:  http://www.californiaaggie.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2725
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1710/a06.html

MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL

If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, 
marijuana would be legal (see news, "Marijuana woes," Nov. 1). Unlike 
alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, 
nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana can 
be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate as health 
interventions and ineffective as deterrents. The first marijuana laws 
were enacted in response to Mexican migration during the early 1900s, 
despite opposition from the American Medical Association. Dire 
warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been 
counterproductive at best.

White Americans did not even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be 
entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness 
propaganda. By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in 
California, the very same U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that 
claims illicit drug use funds terrorism is forcing cancer and AIDS 
patients into the hands of street dealers. Apparently, marijuana 
prohibition is more important than protecting the country from terrorism.

ROBERT SHARPE, MPA

policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman