Pubdate: Mon, 08 Jun 2009
Source: Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, NY)
Copyright: 2009 Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Contact: http://www.pressconnects.com/services/editorial/editor.shtml
Website: http://www.pressconnects.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/878
Author: Shaun Bowen

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

In New York, we spend about $1 billion on marijuana enforcement, not 
including long-term jailing. With a $13 billion budget gap, why not 
save ourselves the money and shift to a legalization, regulation and 
taxation policies similar to that of alcohol? There are also the 
documented health benefits afforded to suffering AIDS and cancer 
patients forced to go into a dangerous underground market to get what 
many feel is their medicine. Luckily, New York is at least taking the 
medicinal uses seriously, as shown by bills in the Assembly (A0576) 
and Senate (S. 4041-A).

Contact your state legislators. Tell them we cannot afford current 
marijuana laws, and urge them to support their respective bills. As a 
person acquainted with two people suffering from cancer, I believe 
it's a shame they cannot legally obtain a drug that has been shown to 
improve the quality of life while they go through their treatments.

Shaun Bowen

Owego
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