MARIJUANA LIES

Re: Larry Gabriel's Higher Ground column for Nov. 16, Michigan state
Attorney General Bill Schuette is apparently so blinded by his reefer
madness campaign that he has forgotten that marijuana prohibition is
based on racist lies and ridiculous myths about ultra violence caused
by smoking cannabis.

"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." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger)

"... the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the
degenerate races" (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J.
Anslinger, 1930)

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity,
criminality and death." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry
J. Anslinger, 1937)

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of
mankind." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger)

These are the outrageous fictions marijuana prohibition is founded
on. Considering that there is not one word of truth in all of the
accusations against cannabis, how can Schuette defend his
unscientific notions about marijuana? How can Schuette provide a good
reason for throwing people into prison because of absurd lies?

- --Ralph Givens, Daly City, Calif.