LEGALIZE AND END REEFER MADNESS PROPAGANDA

Dear Editor,

Regarding the Nov. 5 editorial "Is medical marijuana a big deal?", 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. Like any drug, 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 U.S. 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.

Sincerely, Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.