Pubdate: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW) Website: http://www.drugsense.org LETTER OF THE WEEK RESOLUTION ON POT DESERVES DISCUSSION By Art Gallegos Although I don't smoke pot, I do feel that decriminalization should be an item to be discussed. Views by Mr. Robert Almonte and the name-calling by Mayor Cook on Channel 7-KVIA (cable Channel 6) are nothing short of old wives' tales. American farmers would benefit not only growing pot for smoking, but for the fiber of the stem, which is stronger than present-day nylon cords for parachutes and countless other uses, including clothing, shoes, paper, medicinal uses yet to be discovered -- and it's biodegradable. If there's no demand from Mexico for marijuana, the cartels would cease to exist and the massacres would stop. Besides, I'm against our tax money going over to a corrupt government. I want my tax dollars spent in America on health, veterans benefits, Social Security, homeless shelters and prescription drugs for the elderly. Also, release the 70 percent of the incarcerated individuals who are in our prisons for consuming/possession of small amounts of pot. It's costing us a fortune to house them. Lou Dobbs was out of place calling our council member a local yokel. And threats of federal and state funding loss for El Paso by our lawmakers are childish at best. Art Gallegos Canutillo Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 Source: El Paso Times (TX) - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake