This is considering “Pushing drug myths with our taxes” (Commentary, May 22). Drug czar John Walters has the unenviable job of propping up the flawed foundation for federal drug policy and realizes the urgent need to attack the responsible use of marijuana by 20 million-plus Americans.
The tax dollars being sucked up by the drug war machine add up to more than $40 billion annually and more than half of it is focused on marijuana prohibition. More Americans were arrested for marijuana possession in 2000 than for all violent crime combined. It is truly a law enforcement gravy train.
Clarence Page accurately notes the hyperbole Walters adds to the discussion of medical marijuana. Most Americans know of the Drug Enforcement Administration raids on the legal (under state law) medical marijuana dispensaries in California during the past nine months.
The key prop to government prohibition of marijuana is misrepresenting the facts about the side effects of use. Until the passage of medical marijuana laws in eight states during the past six years, the feds were able to do this primarily by barring any and all research efforts. Allowing legitimate medical records and histories for such a large patient pool will effectively refute the remaining reefer madness that to date has kept Walters and his fellow marijuana warriors in business.
Thanks to Page and the Tribune for providing honest coverage of an issue that our government officials continue to lie about.
