Pubdate: Thu, 02 Jul 2015
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Chuck Cohen
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n354/a11.html

LET ME MAKE MY CHOICES, NOT BE RULED BY YOUR MISFORTUNES

I am truly sorry to read about Lisa James' brother's problems with 
addiction (Monday My Turn).

However, she misses the point. The apparent difference between her 
and her brother is his inability to regulate his tendency for 
addictive behavior.

So, because Ms. James has had a bad experience with an addict in her 
life, and does not want to see her child go down the same unfortunate 
path, she feels justified to advocate that the state make the choice 
for all adults about recreational cannabis use.

Thanks, but I prefer to make my own choices about my own life and 
personal behavior.

As Ms. James' column illustrates, perpetuating the public policy of 
prohibition of recreational cannabis use will not spare each of us 
from the consequences of our own choices and behavior.

It will, however, perpetuate the devastating impacts on our society 
of that ineffective, expensive and counterproductive public policy.

- - Chuck Cohen

Phoenix
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom