To the Editor:

As regards the latest developments in the war against drugs and the
decriminalization of Marijuana, I assert that some basic issues are being
ignored, namely : If we go to the Bible, we find in Genesis (Chapter 1:29)
that God says: "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is
upon the face of the entire Earth... to you it shall be as food." Secondly,
on every note of American currency it is stated that "In God We Trust".
Thirdly, in the Declaration of Independence, by which our forefathers
stated that we are a nation, we find that we are apportioned by the same
God the right to "...Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."
Finally, (even putting aside for now the God-given right to the pursuit of
happiness) we find in The Random House Dictionary that Liberty means (Def.
4) "Freedom from external control or interference, obligation, etc.;
freedom to choose."

In view of these facts, it seems to me that the prohibition against
Marijuana, and the unreasoning oppression of the users of this substance,
will continue until our government finds a way to direct potential tax
revenues resulting from the decriminalization of this drug into the pockets
of the lawyers, drug agents, and others presently involved in the
suppression of our rights, who are making no small living as a result of
their efforts.

Paul Vignaud
Sebastopol, CA