Econ 101

Mexican drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with state Attorney General Bill Schuette's efforts to undermine Michigan's voter-approved medical marijuana law. As long as there is a demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. This is basic economics. Replacing domestic growers with organized crime groups that also sell cocaine, meth and heroin is not necessarily a good thing. Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy. Your tax dollars at work. —Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.

Marijuana lies 

Re: Larry Gabriel's Higher Ground column for Nov. 16, Michigan state Attorney General Bill Schuette is apparently so blinded by his reefer madness campaign that he has forgotten that marijuana prohibition is based on racist lies and ridiculous myths about ultra violence caused by smoking cannabis.

"Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice." (Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1934)

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger)

"... the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races" (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger, 1930)

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality and death." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger, 1937)

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind." (Federal Bureau of Narcotics Director Harry J. Anslinger)

These are the outrageous fictions marijuana prohibition is founded on. Considering that there is not one word of truth in all of the accusations against cannabis, how can Schuette defend his unscientific notions about marijuana? How can Schuette provide a good reason for throwing people into prison because of absurd lies? —Ralph Givens, Daly City, Calif.

Legalize it

Tax and regulate all cannabis use, possession, transportation and sales. Cannabis prohibition is a travesty propagated by lies, hyperbole and misinformation in order to protect industries that are threatened by it, namely the petroleum industry, the alcohol industry, pharmaceutical industries, textile industries, big tobacco, logging and paper industries, the privatized prison industry, prison guards, law enforcement, judges, prosecuting and defense attorneys and other ancillary judicial professions (court reporters, bailiffs, etc.), addiction specialists and more. —Wayne Reiss, Brooklyn, N.Y.

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