Pubdate: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 Source: Keene Sentinel (NH) Copyright: 2010 Keene Publishing Corporation. Contact: http://sentinelsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/223 Author: Zachary Howland NO REASON FOR MARIJUANA TO BE ILLEGAL Marijuana is safer than alcohol. Let that little bit set in, and then let's open up discussion. Note: You may want to open a web browser to check these facts for yourself if you are reluctant to take my word. Alcohol claims 35,000 lives a year. Marijuana? Mary Jane is not a killer and has never claimed a single life. Ever. In history. If that minute tidbit isn't enough to wrangle up some support, than how about this: Alcohol abuse (which frequently occurs on college campuses across the nation), significantly raises the rate of assault, property damage and general disorderly conduct. Marijuana, simply does not. Don't believe me? Google it, or better, ask a member of NORML, SAFER, or many other marijuana associated groups. They'll also inform you of the balloon effect that alcohol has on our nation. At the present time, even with medical marijuana legal in some states, our governments are squeezing hard on one side of the balloon, that being the consumption of marijuana. If you squeeze one end, the air must be displaced elsewhere, and as we have seen, alcohol has been the choice drug of most people. If you let off your grip on this end, surely there will be those who will choose legal marijuana over alcohol. The reason? Marijuana is safer, is it non-addicting, and has even lessened the suffering of patients with severe disorders and diseases in some cases. The fact that marijuana is still illegal, to me, is a great flounder by a still very much immature nation. My age has no factor in my reasoning. My education has helped. Why is it illegal? I am asking an open question, and I hope to receive some responses. Marijuana is safer than alcohol, and that alone should press some of you to reconsider your anti-marijuana stance. ZACHARY HOWLAND Keene - --- MAP posted-by: Matt