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"Former surgeon general calls for marijuana legalization"

By Douglas A. Berman

The title of this post is the headline of this new CNN piece.  Here is how the piece starts and ends: Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders told CNN Sunday she supports legalizing marijuana. The trend-setting state of California is voting next month on a ballot initiative to legalize pot, also known as Proposition 19. The measure would legalize recreational use in the state, though federal officials have said they would continue to enforce drug laws in California if the initiative is approved. "What I think is horrible about all of this, is that we criminalize young people. And we use so many of our excellent resources ... for things that aren't really causing any problems," said Elders. "It's not a toxic substance."... Elders stressed the drug is not physically addictive and pointed to the damaging impact of alcohol, which is legal...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on October 18, 2010 (boomark / email).