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Founder
In its editorial, The Post said, "Colorado and the nation need to have realistic debate about decriminalizing marijuana, but ballot initiative I-100 in Denver doesn't contribute much to that discussion." In fact, the Safer Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation ( SAFER ) campaign is the first major addition to the national marijuana debate in years.
There are two substances in this country widely used for recreational purposes - marijuana and alcohol. Despite the fact that every government study ever done has concluded that marijuana is safer - both for the user and society - it remains the illegal drug. This creates a tremendous incentive for people to use alcohol instead of marijuana. Making marijuana legal for adults would undoubtedly result in some people using marijuana instead of alcohol.
With alcohol causing about 85,000 deaths ( source: American Medical Association ) and factoring in more than 3 million violent incidents each year ( source: U.S. Department of Justice ), it is a "preposterous assertion" - to use The Post's words - to say this should not be part of the debate over marijuana policy.
Steve Fox, Potomac, Md.
The writer is former director of government affairs for the Marijuana Policy Project.
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2005 The Denver Post Corp
Contact: openforum@denverpost.com
Website: The Denver Post
There are two substances in this country widely used for recreational purposes - marijuana and alcohol. Despite the fact that every government study ever done has concluded that marijuana is safer - both for the user and society - it remains the illegal drug. This creates a tremendous incentive for people to use alcohol instead of marijuana. Making marijuana legal for adults would undoubtedly result in some people using marijuana instead of alcohol.
With alcohol causing about 85,000 deaths ( source: American Medical Association ) and factoring in more than 3 million violent incidents each year ( source: U.S. Department of Justice ), it is a "preposterous assertion" - to use The Post's words - to say this should not be part of the debate over marijuana policy.
Steve Fox, Potomac, Md.
The writer is former director of government affairs for the Marijuana Policy Project.
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2005 The Denver Post Corp
Contact: openforum@denverpost.com
Website: The Denver Post
