Pubdate: Sat, 09 May 2009
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2009 The Salt Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383
Author: Christian England

LEGALIZE POT

I am encouraged to hear serious legal talk about the legalization of 
marijuana. For too long we have adhered to the archaic rhetoric 
originally propagated by Harry Anslinger, who made Americans believe 
that smoking pot and shooting heroin was the same thing.

If marijuana were discovered today, and didn't carry the bad 
political baggage, it would be called a godsend. It has proven 
medical benefits, it doesn't lead to social deviancy and it's far 
better for you than cigarettes.

With the economic climate as it is, to continue to spend billions of 
dollars on futile enforcement and prison upkeep is almost comical. 
Legalization would also help diffuse the violence in Mexico and take 
money away from the dealers at home while putting billions of dollars 
into the economy.

In essence, legalizing marijuana would be killing a plague of birds 
with one stone. No pun intended.

Christian England

Salt Lake City
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