Pubdate: Tue, 15 Mar 2016
Source: Middletown Press, The (CT)
Copyright: 2016 The Middletown Press
Contact:  http://www.middletownpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/586
Author: Stan White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n125/a01.html

LEGALIZING POT WOULD REDUCE DRUG ADDICTION RATES

I'm sure the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals 
means well ("Marijuana Bill Draws Criticism, March 3"), however 
opposing cannabis (marijuana) legalization increases hard drug 
addiction rates, which is what Connecticut is experiencing.

Selling cannabis in a regulated market removes sales from people who 
may also sell hard drugs. Some citizens who legitimately use opioids 
for medical conditions may choose cannabis if it is available over 
the counter like in Colorado. That could lower hard drug addiction 
rates. The plant hasn't killed anyone in over 5,000 years of 
documented use; that's safety on a Biblical scale.

Relegalizing the relatively safe, extremely popular Godgiven plant 
will eventually require the federal government to change its 
classification from a Schedule I substance alongside heroin, while 
meth and cocaine are only Schedule II substances. The government's 
message to Americans that cannabis is no worse than heroin and worse 
than meth and cocaine has been a dangerous and irresponsible policy 
costing the country in countless ways. How many people that tried 
cannabis and found it less dangerous than claimed and believe other 
substances must not be so dangerous either caused them to be addicted 
to hard drugs?

A sane or moral argument to continue caging responsible adults who 
use cannabis doesn't exist.

- - Stan White, Dillon, Colorado
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