Submitted by Tom on Mon, 2009-05-11 21:08
In an April 2009 visit to Decorah, our hip congressman told his constituents that marijuana leads to heroin and that past and current law enforcement officials callling for a reexamination of marijuana laws are " . . . probably a bunch of old potheads."
If the violence associated with the drug trade continues, there could be some discussion of legalizing marijuana, but Latham said it would be difficult to gain support for such a measure, since the drug is a "precursor to methamphetamine, heroin and other very addictive forms of illegal drugs."
When asked about a group of former law enforcement agents who support legalization, Latham said "they're probably a bunch of old potheads."
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is made up of current and former members of law enforcement who believe the existing drug policies have failed in their intended goals. LEAP's mission is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.
NORML's response:
Then Rep. Latham, how come there are 22 million annual marijuana using adults, yet only 350,000 heroin-using adults? Once again, slowly for the minds of Congressmen: Marijuana… does… not… make… you… want… to… do… other… drugs, any more than cigarette smoking leads you to drinking alcohol.
Rep. Latham, are you suggesting that there are “potheads” working in law enforcement? And are you suggesting that anyone who supports legalization, like your colleague Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), is a “pothead”? Or do you just reflexively engage in ad hominem attacks against those with whom you disagree?