Pubdate: Mon, 02 Jan 2006
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2006 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n2018/a06.html
Author: Mason Tvert

IN DEFENSE OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN COLO.

Re: "Marijuana push is for all the wrong reasons," Dec. 29 editorial.

Your vitriolic editorial against SAFER's proposed marijuana 
legalization initiative called our assertions both "phony" and 
"nonsensical." I beg to differ. The SAFER campaign is making one 
simple point: Marijuana is less harmful - both to the user and 
society - than alcohol. Based on this objective fact, we believe - 
and obviously the people of Denver agree - adults should not be 
punished for using the safer substance.

You wrote that I say people become alcoholics because marijuana is 
illegal. This is not accurate. I have simply said that the laws 
currently in place encourage and force people to use alcohol instead 
of marijuana. At the same time, it is known that alcohol is 
frequently a contributing factor in domestic abuse, sexual assault 
and other acts of violence. Marijuana is not. Thus, by increasing the 
likelihood that people will drink alcohol, our laws make our society 
less safe. How is this nonsensical?

With respect to your suggestion that we wait for a federal system of 
taxation and regulation, I implore you to name just one member of 
Congress who has introduced such legislation. While you are working 
on that, we are going to stop marijuana users from being arrested. 
This is because we really think the war on marijuana is a failure; we 
don't just say it - as you apparently do - to mask support for the 
continued prosecution of marijuana users.

Mason Tvert, Campaign Director, Safer Alternative for Enjoyable 
Recreation, Denver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom