Pubdate: Wed, 09 Apr 2008
Source: Orion, The (California State Chico, CA Edu)
Copyright: 2008 The Orion
Contact:  http://www.orion-online.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2816
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n347/a07.html

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION WOULD MAKE FOR SAFER SOCIETY

Regarding Mike Murphy's thoughtful April 2 column, if health outcomes 
determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal.

Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose 
death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. 
Marijuana can be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate 
as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents.

The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican 
immigration during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the 
American Medical Association.

Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been 
counterproductive at best.

White Americans did not even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be 
entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness 
propaganda. By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in 
California, the very same federal Drug Enforcement Administration 
that claims illicit drug use funds terrorism is forcing cancer and 
AIDS patients into the hands of street dealers. Apparently marijuana 
prohibition is more important than protecting the country from terrorism.

Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war 
otherwise known as the war on some drugs should contact Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy at www.schoolsnotprisons.com.

Robert Sharpe, MPA policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom