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DNKYD said:
Here's an e-mail I sent to our aspiring drug-warrior/journalist:

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Hello Joe,

I read your article on the BadgerHerald website entitled "Lighting up hurts, endangers many". I would like to say bravo. You probably do not realize it but your piece is a very good persuasive on why marijuana should be legalized. By keeping this plant illegal it forces otherwise law-abiding citizens to interact with a dangerous black market to satisfy their choice to use it responsibly. The very laws that violate our basic human rights create the cartels and crime rings that bring violence, corruption, and intimidation into American cities and homes.

I know the intent of your article was to argue in favor of keeping our civil liberties locked up in the name of protecting us from ourselves. But, just as our failed War on Drugs does, it has many unintended consequences. I imagine your article will open a few eyes as to the asinine nature of the laws that serve to protect us from ourselves and promote the "general welfare".

So, Joe Trovato, I thank you. I disagree with your position and petty attempt to guilt trip citizens into opposing peaceful cannabis users, but I thank you. I thank you for showing just another ugly consequence the world suffers at the hands of our failing drug policies. I can only hope that one day, when you possibly become a writer for some large newspaper, that your opinions have changed. And not just because some reader e-mailed you and said you should. But because hopefully a few years down the line you will open your eyes to the needless division, death, and destruction that these laws you blindly stand behind create. I can only hope.

Thank you for your time.

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