Pubdate: Wed, 29 May 2013 Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2013 The Columbus Dispatch Contact: http://www.dispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93 Author: Carmen Sauer Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n225/a08.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n192/a02.html ARGUMENTS FOR LEGALIZING POT FULL OF HOLES In his Saturday letter "Don't put limits on healthcare choices," Dan Riffle said, "Nationwide, 3 out of 4 Americans recognize the medical benefits of marijuana" but fails to say exactly how many were asked. Four? Were they all members of the Marijuana Policy Project, and who, exactly, funds that? The May 3 Dispatch article "Proposals would legalize marijuana in Ohio" indicated a recent poll that shows more than 1,000 Ohioans want to legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational use. The article failed to mention Ohio's population is more than 11.5 million. Anyone in law enforcement ( thankfully, they prefer to pursue drug-induced criminals rather than take a poll) will tell you marijuana leads to stronger drugs, along with increased crime. Democratic Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown said he has heard "countless stories" of marijuana easing chronic pain and other ailments. Again, how many is "countless"? By golly, call me old-fashioned, but I would take the word of an addiction psychiatrist over a politician and deputy director of a "marijuana project" any day. Since Hagan thinks selling marijuana is a "more-sensible drug policy" for the country, perhaps a person can sell his soul at the same state- licensed establishments. We could eliminate the national debt. CARMEN SAUER Columbus - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom