Pubdate: Thu, 05 Mar 2009
Source: Maneater, The (Uof Missouri - Columbia, MO Edu)
Copyright: 2009 The Maneater
Contact:  http://www.themaneater.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1283
Author: Stan White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n251/a01.html

MARIJUANA MESSAGES MUST CHANGE

A beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) that 
doesn't get mentioned (in the March 2 article "Support For The 
Legalization Of Marijuana Increases") is that it will lower hard drug 
addiction rates. Drug Abuse Resistance Education will have to stop 
brainwashing youth into believing lies, half-truths and propaganda 
concerning cannabis, which creates grave future problems.

How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful 
as taught in D.A.R.E. type government environments? Then they think 
other substances must not be so bad either, only to become addicted 
to deadly drugs. The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the 
worst substances in the world, even though it's less addictive than 
coffee and has never killed a single person.

The federal government even classifies cannabis as a Schedule I 
substance along with heroin, while methamphetamine and cocaine are 
only Schedule II substances. For the health and welfare of America's 
children and adults that dangerous and irresponsible message 
absolutely must change.

Further, regulated cannabis sales would make it so citizens who 
purchase cannabis would not come into contact with people who often 
also sell hard drugs, which would lower hard drug addiction rates.

Stan White
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom