Pubdate: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 Source: Herald, The (WA) Copyright: 1999 The Daily Herald Co. Contact: http://www.heraldnet.com/ Author: DARRAL GOOD, Lynnwood Note: The author is a Board Member and Information Officer for the Washington Hemp Education Network (W.H.E.N.), Olympia, Washington. http://www.olywa.net/when/ Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n968.a02.html MARIJUANA No Reason Not To Legalize It I very much agree with Craig Finnerty of Edmonds that marijuana prohibition is futile (Letters, Sept. 1, "Legalizing marijuana: Time to wake up to reality"). That is why I am supporting Initiative 229 to change the marijuana laws in this state. Please visit the Web site http://www.crrh.org/wcta for more information. On March 17, the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine reported a ground-breaking study that concluded that everything our government has been telling us about this plant since 1937 has been a lie. It does not lead to harder drugs, is not addictive, and has proven medicinal value that certainly outweigh any side effects. It is legal in several states now for medical use and low THC hemp is being shown in Canada to be a crop that may save the American family farmers by being grown for its fiber. Thomas Jefferson grew it on his farm at Monticello. Why can't we? Surely we can find a better use for the millions we spend trying to eradicate this valuable plant. Darral Good, Lynnwood - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D