Pubdate: Tue, 11 Feb 2014
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2014 Lavinia K. Baker
Contact:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: Lavinia K. Baker

TAKE CARE WITH TERMS FOR CANNABIS

The article "Pot arrest rate for minorities questioned" should not use
the term marijuana but cannabis. Marijuana continues to perpetuate the
idea of it being Mexican, or the "other." Pot is slang, just as booze
is. Imagine an article about underage drinking titled "Underage
boozing getting worse."

The rate of incarceration for cannabis between minorities and whites
saddens me. As it is still illegal, how about paying a fine? So often,
fines are not paid, and then often an arrest warrant is issued anyway.
Luckily, our forefathers had the insight that Prohibition did not work.

All too often I see adolescents sent to treatment centers for
cannabis, only to learn of all the other drugs. Those going to jail
for cannabis have the same experience, only to leave there with
alternative life skills.

Cannabis is much safer than the drug alcohol. Those who have a
predisposition to becoming addicted most likely should stay away from
both. However, I disagree that cannabis is the gateway drug;
cigarettes and alcohol are. Cannabis could be the gateway to the White
House, as the our past three presidents have attested to.

LAVINIA K. BAKER Palm Beach 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D