Pubdate: Mon, 18 Oct 2010
Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2010 James Martinez
Contact:  http://www.modbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/271
Author: James Martinez

PROP. 19 BENEFITS OUTWEIGH ITS RISKS

The law enforcers act as if they should influence the law itself.
Possession of cannabis has been further decriminalized, but
cultivating your own is still a felony. How will one obtain cannabis
flowers? If they don't want to risk the felony charge, they can buy
from someone who is willing to risk prison time.

Mike Harden and the rest say that people will be allowed to carry and
use the substance at work. There is very little, if any, reason to
believe that. The law says that employers cannot discriminate against
cannabis users unless it impairs their work performance. If there is
no impairment, what is the problem?

I don't believe the costs will outweigh the benefits of legalization.
Cannabis is a safe and effective therapy for many conditions,
including alcoholism and hard-drug addiction. The need for dangerous
pharmaceutical drugs will also be greatly reduced. There will likely
be a net benefit with Proposition 19.

James Martinez

Modesto
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake