This is the article from my college newspaper that a Mr. Bryce Cooper wrote. He is a regular columnist and his columns became increasingly worse of the duration of the school year. I'm fine with someone differing from my opinion, but please, if you write a column for a newspaper on a regular basis do it better than this.
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Marijuana best left Illegal
by Bryce Cooper
Once again the great state of California has come up with an outstanding proposition. This particular one titled "Proposition 215" calls for the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.
"Proposition 215" is just another absurd bill that California is trying to sneak by the federal government. Legalizing a drug like marijuana makes for nothing but negative consequences.
Some San Francisco leaders say it's worth it to choose pot over pain when considering getting into the medical marijuana business.
Legalizing a drug like marijuana can do more harm than good.
Yes, medical marijuana can minimize some pain a person is having from a disease like glaucoma, but it also can increase the chances for lung cancer.
Sacrificing a person's pain for the possibility of greater pain or death is an equation that doesn't add up.
Although the proposition has many backers in the extremely experimental state of California, the federal government isn't pleased.
Federal agents have conducted several raids around the Bay Area and could easily tie the city up in court or pull federal funding.
Josh Kriegel of the San Francisco Republican Party said that, "It's not just the one federal law, it's also a 'Schedule 1' drug, as recognized by the federal government and the FDA, meaning that it's classified as a narcotic that's subject to frequent potential abuses."
Not only is legalizing a drug like pot dangerous to the patients' physical health, it could be a legal issue as well.
Legal experts say helping grow and distribute pot could make San Francisco more liable for accidents and problems involving those high on city-sanctioned pot.
Californians should concentrate on growing up instead of growing pot.
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And here is the letter to the editor I wrote. When it was published some of the smart-ass remarks were taken out because of the schools policy on all that jazz. But I give you the uncut version.
Dear Bryce Cooper,
Please tell me you are kidding.
I look forward to reading the Shield every Thursday solely to read the misinformation that gurgles from your mouth. It's as if George Bush actually has his hand up your ass, Mr. Cooper, making you dance like the pathetic ditto head you are.
Marijuana should be legalized, or at the very least not an issue. There are a number of reasons to legalize pot.
The only point made against pot by you, Bryce, is that it causes cancer. In this case, we should outlaw cigarettes due to the same reason. And we should outlaw alcohol due to potential liver damage.
Cigarettes are known to be physically addictive. Alcohol may be additive to some people. While these are legal and used widely in the U.S., marijuana is not condoned.
To over dose on pot is physically impossible. But if you would spend a mere five minutes doing research, you would know the U.S. Institute of Medicine study has declared, "fewer than one in 10 marijuana smokers become regular users of the drug, and most voluntary cease their use after 34 years of age. By comparison, 15 percent of alcohol consumers and 32 percent of tobacco smokers exhibit symptoms of drug dependence."
You may say, 'but Jesse, dear, just because we have those substances legal doesn't justify legalizing other substances knowing the ill effects before hand.' And I would say, 'about time you made a point, Brycie.'
Do I also need to point out the falsehood of pot being a 'gateway drug'? There is no reputable medical data that supports this charge. On the contrary, studies have shown that pot does not ‘prime’ the brain for using other drugs. The only way pot can be a 'gateway drug' is by keeping it illegal. By telling people that pot is as detrimental as cocaine and heroine is the most dangerous thing you can do.
Here's my solution, Coopster. Legalize pot. Give hard drugs (i.e. cocaine, heroine, P.C.P.) stiffer penalties to show people which drugs are truly detrimental. Good evidence for this working is that Holland decided over 25 years ago to separate marijuana from the illicit drug market by permitting coffee shops all over the country to sell small amounts of marijuana to adults. These individuals use marijuana and other drugs at rates less than half of their American counterparts.
In closing, marijuana is already the third most popular recreational drug in America. Millions of Americans smoke it responsibly. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it.
Put that in your hookah, and smoke it.
Hugs,
Jesse Damon
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Now I'm a bit phaclemphed (sp? -- is there a correct way?). Please talk amongst your selves. I'll get you started, the Vienna Boys Choir is neither in Vienna nor boys...discuss. *horrible SNL reference*
