READERS SAY: WILL WE LEARN THE LESSONS OF PAST WARS ON DRUGS?

On Jan. 16, 1919, the United States prohibited the manufacture, sale or
transportation of alcoholic beverages (except for medicinal purposes) with
the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. It was spawned by temperance
movement that began in the 1820s with religious revivalism. Prohibition led
to gangsters, bootleggers and speakeasies."

In 1932 the Democratic Party adopted a platform calling for repeal, it was
finally achieved on Dec.5,1933. A few states continued prohibition, but by
1966 all had abandoned it.

The international trade in marijuana was first placed under controls during
the International Opium Convention of 1925. The Unite States passed federal
restrictions on the plant in 1937. By the late 1960s most countries had
enforced restrictions on traffic and use and had imposed severe penalties
for illegal possession, sale or supply.

Meanwhile, in 1969 the World Health organization reported that marijuana is
not physically habit-forming. Marijuana has since proved to have medicinal
benefits and is an excellent crop for manufacturing clothing, rope, paper,
etc. It is used for religious meditation in India and Africa and is sold a
coffeehouses in Amsterdam.

Marijuana is less addictive, less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco, and yet
our government still treats its use as a major crime and is on a campaign to
eradicate its use.

This once was a costly campaign, but with the new drug "forfeiture" laws and
expensive fines and penalties, it is becoming a lucrative government venture.

Lionel De Leon-Garden Grove

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett