MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION WOULD MAKE FOR SAFER SOCIETY

Regarding Mike Murphy's thoughtful April 2 column, if health outcomes
determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal.

Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose
death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco.
Marijuana can be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate
as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents.

The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican
immigration during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the
American Medical Association.

Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been
counterproductive at best.

White Americans did not even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be
entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness
propaganda. By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in
California, the very same federal Drug Enforcement Administration
that claims illicit drug use funds terrorism is forcing cancer and
AIDS patients into the hands of street dealers. Apparently marijuana
prohibition is more important than protecting the country from terrorism.

Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war
otherwise known as the war on some drugs should contact Students for
Sensible Drug Policy at www.schoolsnotprisons.com.

Robert Sharpe, MPA policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy