cannabisnews.com: H. Panel Receives Opposing Views on Legalizing MJ 





H. Panel Receives Opposing Views on Legalizing MJ 
Posted by FoM on July 14, 1999 at 13:41:22 PT
Kevin Harris Washington Bureau 
Source: Pioneer Planet
While a congressional committee discussed the possible decriminalization of illegal drugs Tuesday, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University released a study arguing that decriminalizing marijuana could threaten millions of American children.
Decriminalization has been proposed by some because of the enormous economic and social impact of imprisoning hundreds of thousands of drug users.``Prohibition is hurting us,'' said Robert Stewart, a spokesman for the Drug Policy Foundation in Washington, which advocates legalizing marijuana.``Banning marijuana to everybody, to legal adults, is not solving the problem,'' said Stewart, adding that because other drugs, such as cigarettes and alcohol, are legal, the legalization of marijuana should be considered.But members of Congress rejected that view Tuesday as the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources heard testimony on drug legalization proposals.``Drug legalization threatens to undermine our society,'' said Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., former chairman of the Congressional Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus.CASA's report supports that view.The study found that in 1996, more teens entered treatment for abusing marijuana than for any other drug, including alcohol. Nearly as many children were admitted for marijuana treatment as for all other substances combined.``Teens who smoke marijuana are playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette,'' said Joseph Califano, CASA's president. ``Teen experimentation with marijuana should not be considered a casual right of passage.''While Califano's group acknowledges that the medical value of marijuana should be determined by physicians and scientists, it argues that statistical evidence shows abusing marijuana is dangerous and that it can be a ``gateway'' to other drugs.Pubdate: July 14, 1999© 1999 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press 
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