JUST SOME MORE REEFER MADNESS

On May 2 the Times ran a column from U.S. Drug Czar John P. Walters filled
with misinformation about marijuana and the millions of Americans who use
it responsibly. Further, he impugned the motives of those who are actively
lobbying legislators to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. As someone
who is active in both arenas --enjoying marijuana responsibly and also
working to reform current laws -- I felt it urgent to provide readers with
more accurate facts than those shared by Mr. Walters.

If we are to discuss marijuana's potential for harm, we must first ask,
"compared to what?". I can confidently state that no one in the drug
policy reform community believes marijuana use is 'harmless', despite
Walters' inference. All drug use has the potential for harm. However,
replacing propoganda with accurate information is the best way to provide
harm reduction.

Walters leads emotionally with discussion marijuana use by minors.

He notes the high level of use by high school seniors at 49% and then
mentions valid reasons why teens should refrain from marijuana use. We have
little quarrel with his observations here, but remain puzzled as to why
these concerns merit continuation of policies which lead to the arrest of
over 700,000 Americans annually on marijuana charges, 88% of which are
simple possession cases.

Those of us seeking to reform the laws believe marijuana should only be
enjoyed by responsible adults and age restricted for minors.

Walters makes the assertation that today's marijuana is '10-20 times more
potent than that of a generation ago'. Not only is this preposterous, it
works against his primary concern, which is increased marijuana use. In
fact, the marijuana of the 1970s averaged between 3-4% THC. To meet
Walters' claims, today's pot would have between 30-80% THC, something which
even the best growers are unable to produce in controlled settings.

Further, stronger marijuana allows the user to smoke much less, thus
reducing the very real risks associated with smoking combustible vegatable
matter.

His references to emergency room mentions of marijuana and 'tens of
thousands of serious traffic accidents' ignore the fact that such blood
test readings only inform of marijuana usage within the previous 30 days
and are not a valid indicatior of cause for either medical emergencies or
car crashes.

He decries the attempts by citizens throughout the U.S. to legalize
marijuana for medical use. These laws have been successfully passed now in
eight states and are pending in three others.

Without exception, all such citizen initiatives have passed with over 60%
of the vote. Quite simply, the voting populace is demanding the right for a
patient and their doctor to choose the medication of their choice.

Again, Walters implies that marijuana is more dangerous than FDA approved
drugs, despite the fact that such drugs kill thousands of Americans
annually while marijuana has literally no lethal dosage.

Finally, he raises the grim spectre of street gang violence associated with
the marijuana trade.

However he clearly ignores that it is the policy of marijuana prohibition
that allows these criminal gangs to operate. We can easily observe that
other drug dealers -- ie alcohol outlets and pharmacies -- do not have gun
battles in the streets, nor do they execute their rivals in drive by shootings.

This is thanks to their operating in a legal and regulated market as
opposed to one that is criminally controlled. Under Walters' plan, the
criminals remain in control. We seek to change that.

Walters himself notes in closing that when we end the prohibition against
adult marijuana use, the prices will plummet, thus putting the black market
dealers out of business.

However his belief that 'use will soar' is refuted by observing the
countries where marijuana has been decriminalized for decades.

These countries actually show *less* per capita marijuana consumption than
does the United States, especially amongst the teen population.

It is clear that Walters and those who fear the end of marijuana prohibiton
are seeing the will of the American public and are desperately trying to
stem the rising tide of reform with their wild accusations. Last year 61%
of Americans stated they did not believe adults should be arrested and
jailed for marijuana possession. USA TODAY provided an additional poll
which showed that over a third of Americans believe full legalization is
the answer.

Canada has declared medical marijuana legal at the federal level and the
United Kingdom is steadily moving forward with plans to decriminalize
simple possession. Finally, the New York Times reported this week that the
governors of four Mexican states bordering the United States are giving
serious thought to decriminalizing marijuana.

Clearly it's time to stop the hysterical propaganda from our elected
officials and their appointees and instead strongly reconsider our policies
about the responsible use of marijuana for adults, both recreationally and
for legitimate medical purposes.