Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jan 2007
Source: Citizen, The (Laconia, NH)
Copyright: 2007 Geo. J. Foster Company
Contact: http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SERVICES0113
Website: http://www.citizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1408
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n077/a01.html
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MARIJUANA LAWS MISS THE MARK

Editor, The Citizen: Regarding your Jan. 20 editorial: 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. Like any drug, 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. The 
following Virginia Law Review article offers a good overview of the 
cultural roots of marijuana legislation: www.druglibrary.org. For 
additional historical background, see the Canadian Senate report: 
www.parl.gc.ca.

Robert Sharpe, Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman