POT FIGHTERS NEED STUDY

The One Common Characteristic I Find Among Most Prohibitionists Is A
Complete Lack Of Historical And Scientific Knowledge.

Dear Editor,

The letter to the editor written by Jonathan Maryniuk [Legalization solves
nothing, Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor, Langley Advance News] is an example.

Before 1937, cannabis was legal [in the United States]. This would have
continued, had it not been for a campaign of lies and deceit foisted upon
us by Harry Anslinger, using William Randolph Hearst's concocted news
articles as evidence of marijuana's propensity to make people murderous.

Before and after the passage of the [U.S.] Marijuana Tax Act, there have
been many scientific studies done on the effects of marijuana and on all
the claims opponents have made against it. Every legitimate study,
including those of the Indian Hemp Commission of 1894, the Shafer report of
1972, and at least 10 others, have concluded that marijuana is not harmful.

In the United States, marijuana has not been tolerated, and its
restrictions have not stopped casual users. I would suggest that he read a
little more on the subject .

Ray Carlson
California