Don't Fear Change

[PFlynn]

Your editorial Friday against legal, regulated commerce in cannabis did not explain why you think consenting adults should be sent to prison for growing or selling marijuana in the first place. Instead, you blow smoke screens: federal tyranny, alcohol-related problems, fear of change.

This is your rationale for 2,500 or so Americans to be arrested each day, with many put through personal and financial devastation and locked away for years amid murderers, thugs and rapists. That is the status quo you promote.

I beg to differ. California writes its own laws, not the feds. Cannabis is safer than alcohol. Alcohol abuse may well go down when marijuana is legal for adults, reducing the very problems to which you referred.

As for facing change: Police focusing on violent and property crimes. New jobs and revenue throughout the state. Industrial hemp farmed to clean the environment and revive the economy. Responsible adults being left alone. Maybe even balanced reporting and analysis instead of drug war fever. We can handle that.

California needs to make this change, not fear it. Our state is better for having legalized medical marijuana. We can make it better yet by ending cannabis prohibition.



News Hawk: PFlynn - http://www.420magazine.com/
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Author: Chris Conrad
Copyright: 2009 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact: letters@sfchronicle.com
Website: SF Gate: San Francisco Chronicle