Pubdate: Fri, 24 Nov 2006
Source: Austin Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2006 Austin Chronicle Corp.
Contact: 
http://www.austinchronicle.com/info/email_directory.php?mailto=mail&name=General_Email
Website: http://www.auschron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/33
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1478/a05.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

ANTI-DRUG WARRIORS ARE IGNORANT

Dear Editor,

Re: "Reefer Madness" [News, Nov. 17] by Jordan Smith: Of course drug 
czar John Walters has never rolled a joint! Federal drug warriors 
typically know very little about the subject of their alleged 
expertise. The emphasis on "drug-free" pasts ensures that those least 
knowledgeable about the effects of illegal drugs are in charge of 
enforcing laws against them. The primary hiring criterion for drug 
warriors is ignorance.

There is a good reason millions of Americans prefer marijuana to 
martinis. Anyone who has experimented with both drugs knows that 
alcohol is far more dangerous. Alcohol drinkers who overindulge risk 
painful hangovers, loss of basic bodily functions, and even death. 
Marijuana smokers who overindulge risk wanting to take a nap. Like 
any drug, marijuana can be harmful if abused, but criminal records 
are inappropriate as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents.

Sincerely,

Robert Sharpe,

MPA Policy analyst Common Sense for Drug

Policy www.csdp.org Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine