Pubdate: Mon, 06 Feb 2012
Source: Macon Telegraph (GA)
Copyright: 2012 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n086/a05.html
Author: Stan White

MARIJUANA PROHIBITION HURTS

Bryan Watts illustrated very clearly that one of the worst things
associated with cannabis (marijuana) is the discriminating punishment
(Marijuana use: Don't think it can't happen to your child, Jan. 27)
doled out by prohibitionist government. Cannabis prohibition is far
worse than the relatively safe, extremely popular God-given plant
itself. Watts testifies even though the plant can be stronger, people
who use it are able to function very well. Cannabis prohibition forces
the black market to regulate the plant, which makes it easier to
acquire than alcohol or cigarettes.

If the teen caught with cannabis receives a police record, that will
further harm the individual more than the plant. And that hurts
everyone. Don't forget, people who sell cannabis sometimes also sell
hard drugs and that increases hard drug addiction rates. If "your child" 
could be using cannabis, why force them into contact with people
who also may have hard drugs?

It's commendable to help youth stay away from cannabis, but caging
responsible adults for using the plant is not only the wrong way to
do it: it doesn't work. It's obviously time to RE-legalize what God
says is good on the very first page of the Bible.

Stan White
Dillon, Colo.
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MAP posted-by: Matt