DRUG WAR "ARK OF THE COVENANT" IS EMPTY

For 89 1/2 years, we have escalated the mechanisms, the bloodshed, the
deaths, disease and misery of our nation through our policy of "drug
prohibition". Based on racial screeds and hysterical posturing, the drug
war has taken on a life of its' own.

There is no justice, no logic, no basis whatsoever to this drug war. There
is not one person of stature within the legislature, not one cop or drug
czar, not one doctor or journalist who dares to defend this drug war policy
in an open, public debate. It cannot be done. The prohibition of drugs is
a sham, the largest fraud ever perpetrated on the peoples of this earth.

Ms. Ada Edwards, one of the shining stars of the Houston city council dared
to come on my radio show, Cultural Baggage, which airs on Tuesdays at 6:30
PM CDT, on KPFT, 90.1 FM and on the net at kpft.org. Ms. Edwards recognizes
the racial bias that threatens our nation as a result of this drug war policy.

I just finished an interview with Harris County District Attorney, Mr.
Chuck Rosenthal. The US represents less than 5% of the world's population,
yet we incarcerate more than 25% of the worlds' prisoners. I informed Chuck
that Houston / Harris County leads the world in the rate of incarcerations,
mostly by locking up black and brown people for little baggies found in
their pocket; based on evidence from a thoroughly discredited crime lab.

Chuck sees no racial bias, does not know the basis for these laws and is
not sure if there are any medical marijuana patients in Harris County.
Chuck says, "When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like
a nail".

Dr. Leo Cigaroa, Chairman of a special panel for the Texas Medical
Association, recently was a guest on my show as well. The Texas Medical
Association, 39,000 strong, representing YOUR doctor says it's time to
allow doctors and patients to discuss the use and to allow studies of
medical marijuana.

Dr. Cigaroa expressed concerns over the need to smoke this otherwise
harmless herb. I passed on the latest findings from the International
Conference of Cannabis Therapeutics regarding the use of the Cannabis
Patch, being developed by the American Cancer Society. Another method is
the spray, Sativiex, which will be distributed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.
Now on the market, is a Vaporizer, manufactured in Germany that causes the
medicine to release from the product without having to burn it.

Recently, I went before the Houston City Council, to read a speech that
contains the basic text of this column. I also said: "Just because we might
discuss these problems does not mean we condone the use of these drugs. The
drug war is a complete and utter fiasco. Let my friends in government, the
judiciary, the ministry, law enforcement and the medical community share
with you, the Unvarnished Truth about the war on drugs.

I told the council that per my discussion with Mr. Rosenthal that if
marijuana possession was not against the law, it's "fine with him." I asked
the council "Why do you allow law enforcement to waste our precious
resources and millions of dollars, arresting thousands and thousands of
marijuana users? Can we talk?"

There was of nothing but silence. Pure, deer gazing at headlights SILENCE!

Fear runs the drug war. True ignorance or superstition are rarely a part of
the equation in this day and age. Fear of job loss, of societal
demonization, fear of losing votes in an election all stand in the way of
truth, progress and freedom. The councilmen, mayor and district attorney
all showed their fear, by falling back to faux superstition, feigned
ignorance or the silence of the lambs as their defense.

When the call for change first occurs for marijuana policy, for overall
drug reform, it's not likely to come from the mouths of the councilmen,
mayor, district attorney or police chief. The call must come from those
citizens brave enough to recognize and put forth that "the emperor has no
clothes." There is nobody in a position of authority who can defend this
abominable drug war.

It is our job to drive these drug warriors down to the river of reform for
baptism. Forcibly, if need be.

When do we stop putting our children behind bars for little baggies? It's
your decision.

More than 80 Cultural Baggage shows and the 4:20 Drug War NEWS can be heard
on the net at http://www.cultural-baggage.com