Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 Source: New York Times (NY) Page: A36 Copyright: 2009 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n616/a10.html Author: Ari Weitzner TIME TO END PROHIBITION FOR DRUGS? To the Editor: As every physician knows, alcohol is a very addictive drug that truly destroys lives. Death and disease from alcohol and alcohol withdrawal are daily occurrences on a vast scale. In my medical practice, I have never seen someone get sick or die from marijuana, nor go into withdrawal. It utterly defies common sense to legalize alcohol but not marijuana. The war on drugs is nonsensical. It only serves to generate enormous cash profits to criminals and wastes precious resources -- our money and the lives of law enforcement officials. Ari Weitzner New York - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake