MARIJUANA LAWS TIED TO HYSTERICAL PROPAGANDA

While I might agree with George Fontaine (Viewpoint, Nov. 30) that
there are undoubtedly abuses involving the distribution of medical
marijuana, the bigger issue remains that the most benign "drug" on the
planet is still illegal and criminalized in this "free"country of ours.

When Mr. Fontaine recklessly links the words "crack" and crystal
methamphetamine in the same sentence as marijuana, he not only resorts
to fearmongering to make a point but perpetuates the hysterical
propaganda foisted upon society back in the 1930s beginning with a
little movie called "Reefer Madness."

He goes on to claim that THC in pill form is just as effective as a
joint, which most patients agree is simply not true. I say let the
person using it decide how to ingest it, and who cares anyway? He also
plays that well-worn trump card of saving our children and
neighborhoods from the scourge of drug users and further claims Rep.
Joe Bertram does not care about all the people of Maui, just a few
potheads and pushers, a pitiful justification of his position and
serious slander against his former legislative opponent.

Mr. Fontaine does not speak for me nor does he speak for millions of
Americans who believe the current marijuana drug laws are idiotic.
What threatens our children and neighborhoods is not the presence of a
"pot shop" but the poverty, despair and hopelessness within the
family. Let the government fight a "war" against that and leave my
civil liberties alone.

Lonelle Newman

Honokowai