DON'T BUY INTO LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA

I can tell when someone buys the lies. The phraseology for questioning
what drugs teenagers first try invariably includes the word "illegal."
The availability of alcohol from bars, cupboards and refrigerators
within any teenagers' own home, provides ample opportunity for entry
into recreational drug use. Alcohol is the actual gateway.

After recognizing the similarity of alcohol prohibition with current
drug laws and the utter failure to stem recreational usage (as alcohol
prohibition failed), we can begin to redirect our efforts. Alleged
partial success is another phrase for failure. Drug czars, "War on
Drugs," interdiction, prohibition, DEA, CAMP, and every other acronym,
attempt or law to restrict or reduce recreational drug usage have
failed miserably. Yetsome continue to believe the fiction legislation
can control stop those seeking to recreate or escape painful situations.

Prohibition was repealed because enforcement was untenable. All of the
resources used to "enforce" current pot laws can be diverted to other
crimes. We need more officers able to respond to burglaries, domestic
violence calls, and other criminal actions with victims, than those
confiscating personal property to enrich law agencies while creating
criminals of citizens attempting to temporarily escape reality.

With better education, a mature understanding of the reasons for
using, and treatment for those desiring it, we can better accomplish
what 70 years of marijuana prohibition and law enforcement has failed
to do. Doing the same thing again and again while trying and to get a
different result is insane. So is marijuana prohibition.

Michael Kalinowski, Magalia