Pubdate: Tue, 08 Apr 2014
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n300/a02.html

POT OPINION NOT INFLUENCED BY SOROS

The Washington Times gives billionaire philanthropist George Soros 
far too much credit for the growing public support for marijuana-law 
reform ("George Soros' real crusade: Legalizing marijuana in the 
U.S.," Web, April 2).

It's really quite simple: A majority of young adults have personally 
tried marijuana. In doing so, they have reached the conclusion that 
our government has been lying about the marijuana plant for decades. 
Marijuana is not nearly as dangerous (or exciting) as federal 
government propaganda suggests.

To be fair, Mr. Soros has successfully used his money to leverage 
support for marijuana-law reform through state ballot initiatives. 
However, he is by no means personally responsible for the informed 
opinions of millions of Americans. It's personal experience, not 
billionaire philanthropy, that has led a majority of Americans to 
conclude that marijuana is safer than alcohol and does not merit a 
criminal justice response.

ROBERT SHARPE Policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom