RACIST LIES VS. POT

(Re: "A fine to fit the crime," cover story, June 4.) Apparently the
best argument the Longmont City Council can come up with to support
marijuana prohibition is that they are too busy with "important
pressing issues facing us" to reconsider marijuana policy.

Never mind that they have plenty of time to argue against changing the
law.

When they say that they are "satisfied with current law," apparently
they signal approval for the outrageous claims and racist lies used to
outlaw marijuana in the first place: "Marihuana influences Negroes to
look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look
at a white woman twice." (Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1934)

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music,
jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause
white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and
any others."

"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the
degenerate races"

- -Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger, 1930 "Reefer
makes darkies think they're as good as white men."

- -Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger, 1929
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity,
criminality and death."

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of
mankind."

"[Smoking] one [marihuana] cigarette might develop a homicidal mania,
probably to kill his brother." (See US Government Propaganda To Outlaw
Marijuana, www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/t3.htm).

It goes without saying that people who believe this tripe should never
hold public office.

Ralph Givens

Daly City, Calif.