Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jun 2005
Source: Isthmus (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Isthmus
Contact:  http://www.thedailypage.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/215
Author: Gary Storck
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)

REEFER SANITY

Kenneth Burns' report on bar time chaos exposed a side of Madison that few 
residents ever get to see ("The State Street stumble,") 5/6/05.

It is obvious a great deal of police funding is spent dealing with people 
who routinely consume too much alcohol. While no one in their right mind 
would want to reinstate alcohol prohibition, marijuana prohibition is 
denying people who react badly to alcohol a safer alternative.

Madison has a long history of tolerating marijuana use predating passage of 
the landmark Madison General Ordinance 23.20 in April 1977 with over 60% of 
the vote. If alcohol, with many negative consequences, is socially 
acceptable, shouldn't cannabis also be?

Envision a Madison where adults could escape the bar scene for licensed 
Dutch-style coffeeshops where they could obtain cannabis to consume there 
or take home. Regulation would not only bring the cannabis market 
aboveground, but it would create an alternative to socializing with alcohol 
and all that comes with it.

Gary Storck

Madison NORML
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom