MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL BECAUSE IT IS NOT HARMFUL

TO THE EDITOR: Regarding Clint Johnson's April 20 article, if health
outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms marijuana
would be legal. Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to
cause an overdose death, nor does it share the addictive properties of
tobacco. Like any drug, marijuana can be harmful if abused, but jail
cells are inappropriate as health interventions and ineffective as
deterrents. The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to
Mexican migration during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the
American Medical Association. Dire warnings that marijuana inspires
homicidal rages have been counterproductive at best.

White Americans did not even begin to smoke pot until a soon-to-be
entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness
propaganda. By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in
California, the very same Drug Enforcement Administration that claims
illicit drug use funds terrorism is forcing cancer and AIDS patients
into the hands of street dealers. Apparently marijuana prohibition is
more important than protecting the country from terrorism. Students
who want to help end the intergenerational culture war otherwise known
as the war on some drugs should contact Students for Sensible Drug
Policy at www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy