TIME TO REFORM U.S. DRUG POLICY

Last year, 704,000 people were arrested for marijuana, 89 percent for
simple possession.

Most users did no serious jail time and the truth is, law enforcement
officers do not worry about pot users. It is simply job security for
them; 704,000 arrests multiplied by $2,000 paid by each defendant
for bail, lawyer, fines and court costs gives the real reason for
these arrests -- a minimum of $1.4 billion paid annually in ransom.

Nobody has ever died from using marijuana. However, the "powers that
be" recognize a cash cow when they see it. They also recognize the
opportunity to continue their drug war for as long as the public buys
their bag of lies.

It is time to stand up to the drug warriors; their lies and hypocrisy
have for too long been responsible for the death and destruction they
ascribe to drug use.

Dean Becker Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Community liaison, Houston