Pubdate: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 Source: Times-News, The (ID) Copyright: 1999 Magic Valley Newspapers Contact: P.O. Box 548, Twin Falls, ID 83303 Fax: (208) 734-553 Feedback: http://www.magicvalley.com/submit.html Website: http://www.magicvalley.com/ Author: Bill Chisholm Note: Kathy's new website is at: http://hempnektie.com/Free_Kathy.html THE DRUG WAR IS A LOST CAUSE In the land of the free and the home of the brave, few are. Add to that list the name of Kathy Tadlock, who, despite the threat of a prison sentence, spoke her truth and belief in the medicinal benefits of marijuana. False contrition might have gotten her a less-harsh sentencing recommendation from the prosecuting attorney. As I sat in the courtroom both during portions of the trial and at the sentencing hearing, I thought how sad the whole scenario was -- what a waste of time, of lives, of money, brought about by an illogical and possibly unconstitutional ban imposed on us all because of the prohibition of marijuana. The benefits of hemp and marijuana far outweigh any perceived harms. The war on drugs has created more criminal activity than it has stopped. Prohibition creates a climate in which underground criminal activity thrives. It doesn't do so well in the light of day, in a free society that deals with its problems through open debate and honest discussion. The whole drug hysteria stifles that kind of debate. The driving force behind the criminal activity is not the drugs themselves but the money that goes with their being illegal. Few politicians have the vision and courage to speak out on this. Govs. Johnson of New Mexico and Ventura of Minnesota are two politicians that are putting this issue on the table for public debate. Several states have passed medical marijuana initiatives and several states are looking at industrial hemp. It is time to come out of the Dark Ages. I won't pretend that there are not serious problems that exist with drug abuse, but I don't believe they are any more serious than the abuse of children, of spouses, of the environment. Abuses of economic and political power are far more costly and detrimental to society than an individual's abuse of drugs; in fact, they are contributing factors for drug use and abuse. We don't need to create a police state to solve our drug-related problems. Open discussion and compassion will go much further than courtrooms and incarceration. Let's take on this issue of abuse; we will make far more constructive gains in creating a just and free society. Bill Chisholm Buhl - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake