"Proof Positive"

We are told that marijuana may be as dangerous as tobacco. But where are the marijuana smokers with heart disease, emphysema, and cancer?

We are told that marijuana kills brain cells. But no scientific or medical evidence exists which proves this -- even among heavy, long-term marijuana users.

We are told that marijuana causes Amotivational Syndrome. Yet tens of millions of Americans, from every facet of society, smoke marijuana and lead normal, productive lives.

We are also told that marijuana leads to harder drugs. Yet the Office of National Drug Control Policy says, "Progression from marijuana to other drugs arises not from pharmacological properties of marijuana itself, but because marijuana serves as a gateway to the world of illegal drugs." In other words, when you legally purchase alcohol or tobacco you're not going to encounter illegal drugs. But, because it is illegal, when you buy marijuana you might. Therefore the "gateway" is a direct result of US policy, and solely the government's responsibility!

ONDCP also admits that most marijuana smokers used alcohol or tobacco first. Yet, in spite of this and the fact that alcohol and tobacco are both addictive and deadly, we still allow adults to consume them legally. How can we then justify prohibiting marijuana on the premise that marijuana may be as harmful as these two drugs? Especially when scientific, medical, and our own governmental studies clearly prove that it isn't!

We are cautioned against discussing marijuana, unless unfavorably, because it might send a dangerous message to our children.
We shouldn't talk about medical marijuana, even though our government admits THC is a medicine.
And we shouldn't speak about industrial hemp, even though the word canvas comes from the word cannabis hemp.

I say that if we can't tell the truth about marijuana because it sends a dangerous message to our children, then the message that they're being told is a lie!
End the lies about marijuana! End marijuana prohibition!

Sept. 2002
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