Pubdate: Mon, 8 Nov 2010
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2010 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/aboutus/feedback/index.html
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Dan Linn

RESTORE LIBERTY: LEGALIZE POT

Cannabis prohibition is absurd given that alcohol is legal, and it is
hard to understand why another failed prohibition has lasted so long.

The testimony by Harry Anslinger supporting the Marihuana Tax Act of
1937 is laced with racial slurs, prejudice remarks and simply false
statements, but ever since cannabis and non-psychoactive hemp have
been illegal.

This policy of criminalizing all who possess, use, or grow cannabis is
costing a pretty penny in tax dollars and compromising our liberties.

A legal and regulated cannabis market would restore liberty to this
country, provide another source of tax revenue, create jobs and end an
unjust, racist policy that has done little other than stigmatize over
800,000 Americans who are arrested for cannabis every year.

Plus, adding controls and regulations for the distribution of the
substance would make it more difficult for children to obtain.

America needs to put an end to another failed prohibition.

Dan Linn,

executive director,

Illinois NORML
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake