Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2013
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2013 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Paul Armentano
Note: Paul Armentano is the deputy director of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and is the
co-author of the book Marijuana is Safer: So Why Are We Driving
People to Drink?
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n024/a03.html

LET US STOP CRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA USERS

Kudos to Kingsley Guy for acknowledging that it is "time to rethink"
America's war on drugs (Jan.13), and for recognizing that a majority
of the public now favors regulating marijuana consumption by adults.

The modern drugwar is fueled by the criminalization of marijuana.
Police made 757,969 arrests in 2011 for marijuana-related offenses,
according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform
Crime Report.

Nearly nine out of 10 of those arrested were charged with violating
marijuana possession laws-not for growing, trafficking, or selling
cannabis. According to the report, marijuana arrests now comprise
one-half of all illicit drug arrests in theUnited States.

Despite lawe nforcement's growing fixation with arresting cannabis
consumers, a record percentage of Americans are saying, "No more."

Voters in two states- Colorado and Washington-turned their backs on
cannabis prohibition at the ballot box. National polls by Angus Reid,
Quinnipiac University, and Public Policy Polling indicate that a solid
majority of voters across the country also support ending the nation's
nearly century-long experiment with pot prohibition and replacing it
with regulation.

Cannabis prohibition financially burdens taxpayers, encroaches upon
civil liberties, engenders disrespect for the law, impedes legitimate
scientific research into the plant's medicinal properties, and
disproportionately impacts communities of color.

It's time to stop stigmatizing and criminalizing tens of millions of
Americans for choosing to consume a substance that is safer than
either tobacco or alcohol. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D