Pubdate: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Copyright: 2010 Stan White Contact: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340 Author: Stan White Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n1037/a04.html DRUG WAR FAILED, SO LEGALIZE POT The Inquirer hit a bull's eye with the editorial "Sell drugs or go jobless" (Tuesday), and it's not just locally. It's throughout North America and beyond. You say that "there must be consequences for people who violate the law," but "war on drugs" laws are discredited and unaffordable and create contempt for government. It's time for credible drug-law reform, and at the very minimum that means legalizing the relatively safe, extremely popular, God-given plant cannabis (marijuana). Legalizing and regulating cannabis will create jobs, increase tax revenue, lower crime rates, lower hard-drug addiction rates, add credibility to government drug messages, open the door to hemp farming, and bring dozens of other benefits. Cannabis should have never been prohibited from the beginning. Stan White Dillon, Colo. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D