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John Walters, the Drug Czar, tours the Americas, proclaiming cannabis is more dangerous than crack and twice the danger of biker meth. Walters says there are no legitimate medical organizations that support medical cannabis yet there are in fact more than 100, including the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Nurses Association, (some 6 million strong.) The Czar also claims that we are winning the war on drugs, yet most drugs are cheaper, purer and more available to our children than ever before, especially Afghan heroin. Walters' cracking down on cannabis users makes sure the cost of this one drug continues to rise. Cannabis can now cost more per ounce than pure gold. The czar proclaims it a great success that young people are now using less cannabis. He never mentions that our children are inhaling more (cheap) solvents, injecting more Oxycontin and doing more binge drinking nor does he reference the fact that the war on cannabis represents approximately 50% of his enormous budget. According to a December, 2004 survey conducted by the Police Foundation, "most police chiefs (84%) believe either that a fundamental overhaul or a few major changes are needed in the way we address the drug problem in the United States." 75% or more of Americans agree, especially in regards to cannabis. A recent online poll for "Drug Free America", (one of the 'spider holes' of modern "reefer madness"), tallied 81% for change to our cannabis laws. The drug warriors have no place to hide. "Drugs enslave people" has been the mantra over the decades of drug war. Never mind that our policy has destroyed the lives of tens of millions of individuals and their family structures. Pay no attention to the news that tobacco kills more than 400,000 US citizens each year, that alcohol kills more than 100,00 annually and that doctors and pharmacists screw up to the tune of 120,000 needless deaths each year in writing and filling prescriptions "under the law." In the history of mankind, there has never been a death, caused by the use of cannabis alone and in that no affliction more severe than bronchitis has ever been attributed to cannabis, the penalties and "collateral damage" from it's prohibition are exponentially, egregiously, more harmful than it's use. Dozens of studies, conducted by various governments, medical associations and the scientific community have shown cannabis to be a useful medicine, non-addictive and relatively harmless. If we truthfully examine the facts we will arrive at the only logical conclusion that, yes, we have been duped, which requires us to chip away at the legacy of many who came before, and to impugn the logic of those few who now stand, for the illogical, unscientific and immoral continuation of this modern inquisition called "drug war". This great fear of open discussion, this "tribal instinct", this "taboo" against speaking about the reform of our drug laws in public is the much desired result (and drug dealers dream fulfilled) of decades of propaganda to include "Reefer Madness", endless reruns of "Miami Vice", "Cops" and a thousand other cliched and hackneyed blather about machine gun wielding druggies. In this land of fear and loathing, it has become not only necessary to step out of your own closet; you must also rip down the door of the closet your elected officials are hiding in. On my radio programs, I sometimes use the phrase: "like a cow, looking at a combine". Sadly, to me, that's the face of most Americans when it comes to their response to the drug war. To ignore the data and to continue this charade of drug prohibition is un-American. Let us first bring focus and change to the laws against cannabis use. Be not afraid of the state rep, the police chief or the district attorney. These officials are now hiding behind pseudo-superstition and feigned ignorance. Please let them know, that you know, that they know. All that is necessary for change is that we open the dialogue.
There is not one bit of justice, logic, scientific fact or moral
clarity involved in the mechanism of drug war. To destroy the
drug war monster, requires nothing more than the truth and the
courage to speak. Dean Becker is creator of the Drug Truth Network, a radio syndicate with 20 affiliate stations in the US and Canada. Daily feeds are available at www.drugtruth.net. In Houston listen to 90.1 FM. Guests include congressmen, judges, scientists, doctors, lawyers, wardens, cops, authors and many others. Please contact Dean Becker, dean@drugtruth.net |
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For the latest drug war news, visit our friends and allies below We are careful not to duplicate the efforts of other organizations, and as a grassroots coalition of prisoners and social reformers, our resources (time and money) are limited. The vast expertise and scope of the various drug reform organizations will enable you to stay informed on the ever-changing, many-faceted aspects of the movement. Our colleagues in reform also give the latest drug war news. Please check their websites often. |
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