Pubdate: Fri, 31 Aug 2007
Source: Union Democrat, The (Sonora, CA)
Copyright: 2007 Western Communications, Inc
Contact:  http://uniondemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/846
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n971/a12.html
Author: Ralph Givens
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

BASIS OF LAWS ANTIQUATED

To the Editor:

Re: Pot farms thrive despite best CAMP efforts (editorial, Aug. 15)

Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) enforces marijuana laws 
based on absurd lies: "Marijuana influences Negroes to look at white 
people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white 
woman twice." (Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1934)

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are 
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, 
jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause 
white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and 
any others."

"The primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, 
criminality and death."

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."

"[Smoking] one [marijuana] cigarette might develop a homicidal mania, 
probably to kill his brother." (see U.S. Government Propaganda to 
Outlaw Marijuana, 1937: www.druglibrary.org/ schaffer/hemp/taxact/t3.htm)

Besides pursuing an insanely purposeless and futile endeavor, CAMP 
represents a great threat to the environment. Flying helicopters into 
national forests during fire season can easily cause a repeat of 
August 2002 Pines Fire in eastern San Diego County that destroyed 
more than 54,000 acres of forest, burned more than 30 homes and 92 
buildings - barns, sheds and other outbuildings. The cost of fighting 
this fire started by a CAMP helicopter hitting a power line exceeded 
$30 million.

While law enforcement teams exult over helicopter joyrides into 
Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, nearby residents worry that their 
homes will be burned to the ground by this foolishness.

Does it need be said that no one would grow marijuana in national 
forests if it were legal?

Ralph Givens

Daly City
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman