Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 Source: Boston Phoenix (MA) Copyright: 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Contact: http://www.bostonphoenix.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/54 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n568/a15.html Author: Stan White INTO THE POT Another reason to legalize the relatively safe, socially acceptable, God-given plant cannabis (marijuana) that doesn't get mentioned in your article is that it will lower hard-drug addiction rates. How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful as taught in DARE-type government environments? Then they think other substances must not be so bad, either, only to become addicted to deadly drugs. The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst substances in the world, even though it's less addictive than coffee and less harmful than cigarettes. The federal government even classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, along with heroin, while methamphetamine and cocaine are only Schedule II substances. For the health and welfare of America's children and adults, that dangerous, irresponsible, and inaccurate message absolutely must change. Stan White Dillon, Colorado - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake