Pubdate: Mon, 19 Jan 2004
Source: Summit Daily News (CO)
Copyright: 2004 Summit Daily News
Contact:  http://www.summitdaily.com/home.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/587
Author: Stan White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n114/a04.html?397

MARIJUANA WEB SITE QUESTIONED

I recommend avoiding the Mfiles Web site, ("Tiger Tracks co-editor 
recognized for drug abuse prevention piece," Jan. 15) where U.S. drug czar 
John Walters makes the claim, "marijuana advocates (are) living in a world 
of falsehoods."

Historically, government subsidized cannabis prohibitionists as a whole are 
misinformed, relying on what is false to perpetuate terrorizing citizens 
for using a plant, which God gave and said was good on literally the first 
page of the Bible.

I question "the dangers of drug abuse" and "the harsh realities of 
substance abuse" in relation to cannabis (marijuana), since the greatest 
consistent danger from using cannabis is being put in a cage for using it, 
which is inflicted by that very government.

If government wishes to reduce harms associated with responsible cannabis 
use, then stop caging users and the harm is almost zilch.

Government, you are the harm.

Oh, that's right, the federal government doesn't recognize that people even 
use cannabis responsibly.

To accept Walters' and Gov. Bill Owens' position is to accept that cannabis 
has no medical value, and Colorado citizens who legally use cannabis 
medically should still be considered criminals.

And therein lies the root of the problem.

Walters and Owens of the Reefer Madness set would prefer citizens cage 
their family members for even using cannabis to ease cancer's challenge.

It is commendable to help youth resist drugs, alcohol, cannabis, coffee and 
cigarettes until they are older and responsible for their choices, but 
caging responsible adult cannabis users is not the correct way to do it.

Stan White, Dillon
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom