Marijuana Policy Project

The prohibition of cannabis has persisted for many decades, the result of undue pressure by corporate and government forces that rely on false information and junk science. Public preferences are continually usurped, and the bad situation grows worse. This has been evident in recent opinion pieces printed in the News Tribune.

The results of marijuana prohibition are negative. We are decades behind developing the potential medical value of cannabis products. We are sacrificing incredible economic benefits afforded by industrial hemp farming. We have inhumanely filled prisons with good citizens who use cannabis for social and recreational purposes. This is not the face of freedom and modernity. Let us remember that marijuana is not a narcotic as U.S. law defines it. It is not addictive like crack or heroin. It can be used to help treat true addiction, as well as numerous other medical conditions. If doctors can be trusted to prescribe morphine, they can handle cannabis. In countries where cannabis is legal there is less use by children. Alcohol and tobacco are much larger threats than cannabis. If we can regulate these substances, managing cannabis should be a cakewalk.