Editor of Dallas Morning News

To the editor,

If the government trusts us to use alcohol responsibly, it is ridiculous to assume that

citizens are incapable of using marijuana responsibly. Marijuana poses nowhere near

the health and welfare danger that goes with alcohol. Freedom from the tyranny of

prohibition of this widely used product is desperately needed. Police agents at all lev-

els trample on our Bill of Rights by conducting illegal car searches, phone and email

taps, garbage scrounging, and door busting night raids upon harmless people.

According a study by Harvard economist Jeffery Miron, legalization could save 7.7

billion a year in enforcement savings, while producing 6.2 billion a year in tax reve-

nues alone.

In 13 states further liberty is granted where the possession of marijuana is no longer

criminalized. In a Gallup poll of 2005, 55% say possession of personal amounts of

marijuana should not be criminal. In a Rasmussen poll, 51% say alcohol is more dan-

gerous than marijuana while only 19% say the opposite. The American Medical As-

sociation has recently called for a new policy to review marijuana’s status as a

Schedule I drug in the federal Controlled Substances Act.

In the end of prohibition millions taking anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication

may find that marijuana fulfills the need for these prescription drugs. Cancer patients,

Glaucoma patients, and persons with chronic pain find marijuana to be an irreplace-

able product. In many situations the calming effect of marijuana could prevent do-

mestic violence. The psychoactive properties of marijuana can readily replace far

more harmful substances.

Today hundreds to thousands of individuals will be arrested for possession of a per-

sonal amount of marijuana. Tonight, to relieve stress, at least a million Americans

will sit on their couches and light-up a joint. Tomorrow they will return to work

rested and ready to perform without a hangover or a physical addiction.

Newtech Highschool @ Coppell