Pubdate: Fri, 11 Nov 2005
Source: Scotsman (UK)
Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 2005
Contact:  http://www.scotsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406
Author: Robert Sharpe

MARIJUANA OR MARTINI?

The war against drugs is, in large part, a war on cannabis, which is 
by far the most popular illicit drug. The University of Michigan's 
Monitoring the Future survey reports that lifetime use of cannabis is 
higher in the United States than in any European country, yet the US 
is one of the few western countries that uses its criminal justice 
system to punish citizens who prefer marijuana to martinis.

In spite of clear evidence that draconian laws fail to deter use, the 
former land of the free and current record holder in citizens 
incarcerated continues to use its superpower status to export a 
dangerous moral crusade around the globe. The short-term health 
effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the long-term 
effects of criminal records.

Unfortunately, marijuana represents the counterculture to misguided 
reactionaries intent on prosecuting their version of morality.

Scotland should "Just say no" to the American inquisition.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Virginia, USA 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman