Pubdate: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 Source: Sanford Herald, The (NC) Copyright: The Sanford Herald 2001 Contact: http://www.sanfordherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1577 Author: Stan White Referenced: URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1712/a02.html Note: Title by MAP Editor RISING AIDS EPIDEMIC ALONE IS REASON TO MODERNIZE DRUG LAWS To The Editor: Thank you for the story, "Is war on drugs creating HIV epidemic in America," on Sept. 22. The rising AIDS epidemic alone is reason to modernize Americas drug laws. Personal drug problems are not properly addressed in America with the cage. The benefits of correcting dysfunctional drug laws is mind boggling in its reality. So by legalizing drugs on the planet, we kill many evil birds with just one stone; end finance of terrorism; the end of killing humans in Columbia for growing some plants; the end of pursuing sick citizens for using cannabis to cage them; and allow cannabis for recreational use as an option to booze and cigarettes. We'll stop stealing property from others, including those not even found guilty of a crime; allow true freedom of religion for those who use banned plants at the alter, and have for thousands of years; reign in the American over incarceration rates; and quit blackmailing countries around the globe who wish to quit the war on drugs, including Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and too many others to list. It will allow us to reintroduce hemp as a component of American agriculture and will help end racial discrimination. America, cannot do any worse in protecting our children from harmful drugs than by legalizing and regulating them. To end the war on drugs, it is imperative, to address truth and shun racist lies, perpetuated for the benefit of the very few. As a Christian, I suggest that we thank Christ God and the Holy Spirit of Truth, for cannabis. If God gave us cannabis, who gives us cannabis prohibition? America, it is in God we trust, not prohibitionist politicians. Help end the war, not escalate it. STAN WHITE Dillon, Colo. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth