Pubdate: Thu, 05 Apr 2012
Source: Reporter, The (Vacaville, CA)
Copyright: 2012 The Reporter
Contact:  http://www.thereporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/472
Author: Ralph Givens
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n190/a01.html

LEGALIZATION IS SOLUTION

A letter writer ("Contamination symptom," March 18) may be correct
about nitrate contamination coming from illegal marijuana growing by
Mexican drug cartels. However, the solution is not a better guest
worker policy. Legalization of marijuana is the only way to stop
outlaw growing on public lands.

After marijuana is legalized, Mexican cartel-growing will diminish
exponentially. From then on, pot will be grown on regular farms or in
hothouses. Without the prohibition subsidy, criminals will not be able
to reap huge profits from eco-damaging marijuana grows.

It is amazing how much social and ecological damage a reefer madness
policy has caused in the past 75 years, but all of that will end once
we stop being manipulated by drug warrior fictions such as:

* "Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye,
step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." (Hearst
newspapers nationwide, 1934)

* "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music,
jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause
white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and
any others." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger)

* "... The primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the
degenerate races" (Anslinger, 1930)

* "Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users
insanity, criminality and death." (Anslinger, 1937)

* "Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of
mankind." (Anslinger)

* "(Smoking) one (marijuana) cigarette might develop a homicidal mania,
probably to kill his brother." (See US Government Propaganda To Outlaw
Marijuana, www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/t3.htm)

These are the reasons given for America's lunatic marijuana policy.
Which one do you believe?

Ralph Givens

Daly City
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