Pubdate: Thu, 05 Nov 2009
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2009 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/submit.asp
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Christopher Branski
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n978/a10.html

Marijuana

ENACT SENSIBLE AND SANE DRUG POLICIES

Letter writer Capt. Charles Wood of the Waukesha Metro Drug Unit is 
apparently aghast at the alleged "pro-pot" positions of columnists 
Jim Stingl and Kathleen Parker (Your opinions, Oct. 28). In fact, 
he's so disturbed by their positions, he urges readers to "think about it."

Well, that's precisely what I did after I read the columns in 
question, and I agree with everything the two columnists suggested. 
Parker, for example, cheers the Obama administration for respecting 
the 10th Amendment by preventing the Drug Enforcement Administration 
from raiding marijuana dispensaries approved by state voters. Stingl 
thinks it unfair an effective teacher is fired for using marijuana on 
his own time, though it has never affected his job performance.

It's time that sanity, science and logic prevail over the expensive 
failure that is the drug war. Can Wood point to one death from a 
marijuana overdose? Can he point to one person who will overnight 
become a pothead slacker if marijuana is legalized? Does he suggest 
that people who use marijuana to dull chronic pain should instead 
turn to more addictive substances such as oxycodone? Does he suggest 
that the DEA has the right to override state elections?

I'm not suggesting marijuana is good for kids. What I'm suggesting is 
that science trump fear-mongering nonsense, which I hope will bring 
sane, compassionate drug policies into law.

Christopher Branski

Madison
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