420
Founder
The Supreme Court has just further eroded states' rights. The feds now officially have the right to arrest and prosecute chronically ill people living in states whose voters have approved the use of medical marijuana. So much for being a republic.
In spite of the fact that Canada has approved a cannabis-based inhaler for multiple sclerosis ( Sativex, made by a British company ), and ever more enlightened countries throughout the world have recognized the medicinal value of the plant, our government continues to insist that it is in the same category of evil as heroin.
At a time when poor people are being driven to bankruptcy to pay for prescription medicines for pain ( medicines that are highly addictive, replete with dangerous side effects and often ineffective ), they now will run the risk of being declared felons and being sent to prison for the heinous crime of growing or using a very effective, nonaddictive, natural, God-given medicinal plant that costs them nothing.
But that is the real objection, after all: Big drug companies make no money, and the government collects no taxes on such usage. Legalization might even eat into the profits and tax revenues from the really big money cow: alcohol.
Our federal legislators should stand up and create a sensible drug policy instead of being scared stupid of being labeled "soft on drugs."
The government can:
- - Relieve prison overcrowding that results in violent criminals and pedophiles being released.
- - Make tons of money to fight truly dangerous drugs, such as heroin, crack and meth.
- - Remove one "gateway" to vendors of those dangerous drugs.
- - Make sure nobody buys marijuana laced with something worse.
- - Stop sending relative innocents to crime college.
Here's how: Decriminalize marijuana, and regulate and tax it through government-controlled sales in government-owned stores.
Kathy Lewis
Sarasota
Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jun 2005
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2005 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Contact: editor.letters@herald-trib.com
Website: Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Local News, Politics & Sports in Sarasota, FL
In spite of the fact that Canada has approved a cannabis-based inhaler for multiple sclerosis ( Sativex, made by a British company ), and ever more enlightened countries throughout the world have recognized the medicinal value of the plant, our government continues to insist that it is in the same category of evil as heroin.
At a time when poor people are being driven to bankruptcy to pay for prescription medicines for pain ( medicines that are highly addictive, replete with dangerous side effects and often ineffective ), they now will run the risk of being declared felons and being sent to prison for the heinous crime of growing or using a very effective, nonaddictive, natural, God-given medicinal plant that costs them nothing.
But that is the real objection, after all: Big drug companies make no money, and the government collects no taxes on such usage. Legalization might even eat into the profits and tax revenues from the really big money cow: alcohol.
Our federal legislators should stand up and create a sensible drug policy instead of being scared stupid of being labeled "soft on drugs."
The government can:
- - Relieve prison overcrowding that results in violent criminals and pedophiles being released.
- - Make tons of money to fight truly dangerous drugs, such as heroin, crack and meth.
- - Remove one "gateway" to vendors of those dangerous drugs.
- - Make sure nobody buys marijuana laced with something worse.
- - Stop sending relative innocents to crime college.
Here's how: Decriminalize marijuana, and regulate and tax it through government-controlled sales in government-owned stores.
Kathy Lewis
Sarasota
Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jun 2005
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2005 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Contact: editor.letters@herald-trib.com
Website: Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Local News, Politics & Sports in Sarasota, FL
