LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IS SANE, HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE TO DRUG WAR MADNESS

The column by Debra Saunders, The Drug War Body Count, (Mon, March
16, 2009) is a necessary read. The time has come to end this drug war
madness. We now have cartels operating with impunity in every major
city in the U.S.

When legalization is the subject it is not just the pot smokers.
Three former Latin American presidents are not lightweight figures by
any means. Even the Obama administration is now taking steps, making
needle exchanges a priority shift over previous administrations
punish-at-all-costs priorities.

Yet here in Oregon drug war madness still has a lot of momentum. Dan
Harmon and his group Associated Oregon Industries are trying to
eliminate the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. Grants Pass Rep Ron
Maurer wants to have the state grow cannabis, taking that right away
from patients. In reality complete legalization will eliminate not
just the hassle imposed on patients and citizen tokers but will drive
the cartels from the pot industry in Oregon.

Legalization is the sane, healthier alternative to the societally
crippling disease of drug war madness.

Allan Erickson, Drug Policy Forum of Oregon