HEMP SHOULD BE LEGAL IN U.S.

To the editor:

Jim Hightower's Feb. 20 critique of the Georgia Rep. Bob Barr's absurd
opposition to industrial hemp was excellent. Political pressure to keep
farmers from growing hemp is part of a larger culture war.

Prior to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 few Americans had
heard of marijuana, despite widespread cultivation of its non- intoxicating
cousin, industrial hemp.

The first marijuana laws were a racist reaction to Mexican migration during
the early 1900s, passed in large part due to sensationalist yellow journalism.

Incredibly, violent acts were allegedly committed by minorities under
marijuana's influence. Whites did not even begin smoking pot until a
soon-to-be entrenched government bureaucracy began funding reefer madness
propaganda.

These days marijuana is confused with 60s counterculture. The
intergenerational culture war otherwise known as the war on some drugs does
far more harm than marijuana.

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting
children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use and
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's
really needed is a regulated market with age controls. Right now kids have
an easier time buying pot than beer. Separating the hard and soft drug
markets is especially critical.

Marijuana may be relatively harmless compared to alcohol - the plant has
never been shown to cause an overdose death - but marijuana prohibition is
deadly. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized
crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with addictive drugs
like meth. Taxing and regulating the sale of marijuana to adults is a
cost-effective alternative to the never- ending drug war.

Farmers, taxpayers and families all stand to benefit from an end to
counterproductive drug laws.

Sincerely,

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

program officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.