Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jan 2006
Source: Journal Advocate, The (CO)
Copyright: 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.journal-advocate.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4033
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n002/a03.html

GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT

EDITOR: Regarding George Rice's Dec. 30 column, if health outcomes 
determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be 
legal. 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

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy Arlington, Va.
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