PUB LTE: Marijuana's Place 1 of 3
January 27, 2003
Sacramento Bee
Re "The government's reefer madness," Op-Ed, Jan. 11: After reading the previous day's story detailing the firing of a RagingWire Telecommunications Inc. employee for the off-duty use of marijuana under a doctor's care ("Firing over medical pot is upheld," Jan. 10), I was pleased to read an article that seemed to make sense of an issue that rightfully should be an affront to every American who believes in personal freedom and fiscal responsibility. At a time of an increasing deficit and decreasing levels of education and health care for children and the elderly, we should not, as citizens, advocate spending one dime on arresting (more than 700,000) and incarcerating (more than 10,000) U.S. citizens who are simply pursuing a vice that is undeniably less damaging in terms of lives lost than alcohol or tobacco (both major political campaign contributors).
Where is the outrage?
As our country learned in 1932, control, and not prohibition, is the answer. Ask any high school student and he will tell you that it is easier to get pot from criminals who have no qualms about selling to children than it is to get beer or cigarettes from a liquor store that has its license and livelihood on the line when selling to minors.
© 2003 The Sacramento Bee
 Newshawked-by: Jay Bergstrom
Posted-by: Jay Bergstrom
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