Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 Source: Record, The (Stockton, CA) Copyright: 2009 The Record Contact: http://www.recordnet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428 Author: Roger Winslow Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n517/a09.html MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION SUPPORTED I applaud Record columnist Michael Fitzgerald's support of the legalization of marijuana even though there are those who criticize him. One letter writer made the common mistake of equating marijuana with addictive narcotics such as heroin and cocaine. But comparing marijuana with those opiates is like comparing apples with rocks, because marijuana is not physiologically addictive. I know a number of people who smoked marijuana for some time and then quit "cold turkey" (I did the same thing myself). Neither I nor any of these other people felt any cravings nor suffered from any withdrawal symptoms. It may be habit forming because it feels so good to some and imparts a feeling of euphoria. Some people claim to be addicted to chocolate for the same reason. And Fitzgerald is correct when he says legalization of marijuana would be an economic boon to the country. Municipal treasuries would receive money directly from taxes and fees. The hundreds and thousands of dollars per year that are spent to incarcerate those who have violated marijuana probation laws would be saved; the California budget needs the money. It is believed that the drug cartels that operate along the U.S.-Mexico border are primarily financed by the illegal sale of marijuana. The legal sale of marijuana would put these cartels out of business. This is not to say other drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamines should be legalized; they are dangerous to one's health and should not be. But marijuana legalization is a win-win situation. Roger Winslow Manteca - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr