Pubdate: Fri, 27 Dec 2002
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)
Copyright: 2002 Columbia Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.showmenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/91
Author: Anthony Johnson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2326/a01.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

TRIBUNE PRINTED MISLEADING MARIJUANA PETITION HEADLINES

Editor, the Tribune: On Dec. 19, a Tribune headline read "Pro-marijuana 
drive gathers 2,600 names." I must clarify that our petition is not 
"pro-marijuana." Our alliance, which includes the ACLU and the Libertarian 
and Green parties, does not condone or support the recreational use of 
marijuana. The alliance is, however, pro-education, pro-patients' rights 
and in favor of improving the policies of Columbia. We simply oppose the 
current marijuana policy that is anti-education, anti-patients' rights and 
a failed policy that disproportionately harms students, the seriously ill, 
minorities and the poor.

Furthermore, last Thursday a headline read: "Pot petition drive flawed, 
still valid under city's code." The most relevant definition of flawed is: 
a defect in a legal document that can render it invalid. However, as the 
city attorney stated, the petition drive was for a city initiative and 
followed the city charter. The petitions can't be declared invalid and, 
thus, were not flawed in any way. Finally, in the article, Boone County 
Clerk Wendy Noren called the petitioners' handling of voter registration 
cards "abominable." If Noren believes that registering people to vote and 
getting them involved in our wonderful democratic process is "abominable" 
behavior, then I must respectfully disagree with her.

Anthony Johnson
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager