Legalizing Marijuana

In a message dated 6/1/01 10:39:13 AM Central Daylight Time, t@hotmail.com writes:

<< Subj: 
Date: 6/1/01 10:39:13 AM Central Daylight Time
From: t@hotmail.com (tmc)
To: johnworldpeace@aol.com

Dear Mr. Peace, (WorldPeace)

I got turned onto your web-page after receiving a message on my answering 
machine about your campaign for governor. I like what you had to say and I 
look forward to following your campaign in the coming months.>>
Thanks.

<< However, there is one issue that I didn't see covered in the "Issues" section of your web page and that is the War on Drugs. When I was a child in the 1980's the 
War on Drugs was a political issue that was on the tongues of all politicians. Now, even with many law enforcement officials, judges, and particular politicians (Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico comes to mind)coming out against the war on drugs, it seems that many politicians are still un-willing to be truthful about their own past drug use or to even consent to an open debate of the issue for fear of looking soft on drugs.>>
I have never done any illegal drugs. Period. Just never appealed to me. I have no fear of a debate on drugs (or race or religion or sexual preference)

<< Personally, I'm against the war on drugs. I advocate this idea not because 
I'm for drug use, but because I look at the issue from a constitutional 
stand point. I see it as a matter of personal choice. If one does drugs 
and doesn't harm another person or another's property then where is the 
crime?>>
I am not a user of alcohol other than one glass of wine with dinner each night. That being said, I see no difference between marijuana and alcohol. I do see a difference between alcohol and heroin and cocaine.

<< Furthermore, I noticed that you have a degree in accounting. Well, 
I think if we put an accountant's pen to the cost of the war on drugs we'd 
see we've wasted a lot of money, because drugs are cheaper and more 
available than ever;>>
Agreed

<<the DEA only stopped 30% of the drugs coming into this country last year. President Bush has recently said that he will allocate more money for treatment for addicts. However, his $3 billion for treatment pales in comparison to the $20 billion or more that will go into interdiction efforts.>>
Yes

<< What do you think about turning the tide in the war on drugs to begin looking at the problem as a public health issue and not one that can be resolved through criminal penalties?>>
I believe in special courts that only handle drug cases. I believe that the emphasis will be on treatment and the alternative would be jail. I believe that the users will have to pay for the treatment which should make the cost of the program minimal.

<< I think the prohibition of drugs, like that of alcohol, has caused more harm than the drugs themselves by escalating organized crime>>
Agree cautiously.

<<and a whole other host of public health problems.>>
Like AIDS

<< I'd appreciate your views and opinions on this 
matter. Thank you for your time.>>

The fact is that we already tried to outlaw alcohol: and crime increased because people were determined to drink. As I said, I see no difference between alcohol and marijuana. 

I believe that people who kill others under the influence of alcohol should permanently lose their drivers license.

I believe that we should not legalize marijuana but being in possession of less than a pound (per adult) in one's home should only mandate a citation. Trafficing in marijuana should be punished in relation to the amount of marijuana one possesses. I believe in the loss of all property associated with the possession of more than fifty pounds.

Doctors should be free to prescribe marijuana but records should be kept and some limitations developed.

I believe that syringes should be made available without question in areas where hard drugs are common in order to slow down the spead of AIDS.

<<Peace and No Worries,
T
Research Interviewer
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center >>

Thank you,
John WorldPeace

June 1, 2001