'REEFER MADNESS, REEFER MADNESS...' IN IOWA?

The craze came to Quadsville after the Iowa Board of Pharmacy
recommended Wednesday that the state legislature reclassify marijuana
and appoint a task force to study medicinal uses of the drug.

That's good news for those suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and
other conditions that could benefit from a prescribed toke, although
legislative leaders have shown little interest in taking up the issue
before they recess next month.

In a Quadsville daily poll, 71 percent of the 180 respondents were in
favor of legalizing marijuana, not just for medical purposes, but for
recreational use by anyone over age 18.

I support legalizing marijuana, taxing the hell out of it and have it
help support our economy instead of the drug dealers' economy!" Chowdogz wrote.

Alertreader added, "All the tax money would stay in the U.S., not
Mexico or Colombia! Very important issue."

Of course, for those who do not want to see pot reclassified, it's
not about economics.

Every episode of 'Celebrity Rehab' has at least two people saying
they smoked pot when they were 11-12 and it led to other addiction,"
marismom wrote.

Stellablue had an interesting take on why that might be: "One reason
marijuana is a 'gateway drug' is because it is illegal. To get it,
you have to use a drug dealer who usually also has access to other,
much more harmful substances. So it is in this illegal environment
that people are exposed to hard drugs."

In other words, legalize it, regulate the ingredients, tax it and
sell it in an environment that does not include a "buy a dime bag,
get a free sample of heroin" limited-time offer.

Opponents still aren't convinced that we should legalize one
substance as we restrict others, citing the public smoking bans in
Iowa and Illinois. And I agree there will be plenty of people who
misuse marijuana if it is ever completely legalized, just as plenty
of people abuse alcohol. The onus is on task forces like the one
recommended by the pharmacy board to show that marijuana use has more
beneficial effects than harmful ones.

Klowner tells a good story that puts it in perspective for me:

I started in grade school and have pretty much developed a chemical
dependency for it. If I go without for a couple of days, I get really
groggy and repeatedly lose focus. Sometimes I'll even get a headache
- -- it's terrible! The authorities must outlaw it before more people's
lives are totally ruined. Coffee is just too dangerous of a drug for
us feeble-minded citizens to make a personal decision about whether
or not they want to use it.

Wait, I saw 'pot' and thought we were talking about pots of coffee.
My mistake."

Nice one, Klowner. Have a cup for me. I just quit.