Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2011
Source: News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA)
Copyright: 2011 Tacoma News Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenewstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/442
Author: Tracy A. Baublits
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n191/a07.html?1214

OF COURSE MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

Re: "We need to consider what war on drugs has wrought" (Viewpoint, 3-22).

Ingrid Walker makes some very good points about our drug laws. I wish
to speak specifically towards the laws regarding pot.

Calling something that has never caused a death and has known medical
benefits as a "Schedule 1" drug is preposterous. In all reality, pot
is not a drug at all. The number of athletes at the top of their game
(think of swimmer Michael Phelps) who have been busted should be a
clue.

If you went back to the 1930s and the amount spent on this, adjusted
for inflation, would be in the trillions. Just release all
simple-possession prisoners and the government could save around
$45,000 a year for each person incarcerated for no good reason. This
does not even go into the many uses of hemp for farmers and others.

I don't have enough space here to really get into this anymore. The
insanity would take a while to explain.

Tracy A. Baublits

Fife
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.