I think its fair to say the fate of cannabis, marijuana, hemp and their associated derivatives, are tried, and hanged, on a daily basis, on the front pages of our popular newspapers. The term "yellow journalism" has long been associated with the war against cannabis, and was started back at the start of the 20th century by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.

These days the majority of the press continues with its anti-cannabis witch hunt. Remarkable really, when statistically at least, news-rooms around the world will contain their own share of closet cannabis users.

So I found it a refreshing change, when one New York State news organisation, (Press & Sun Bulletin) asked its readers for their comments on the war against marijuana.

If every newspaper in the world did this, cannabis would be legal within a year - FACT! 

Here are some of the comments the newspaper received. 

There must, however, be stringent policy enacted otherwise it could easily digress into an out-of-control quagmire. It shouldn't be allowed for every ailment that comes along, lest it become, "Gee, doctor, this headache is a nuisance .., how about some medical marijuana for a buzz to help numb the pain?"

Now for the overall general use of marijuana: My viewpoint is an emphatic NO. Why would we contemplate legalizing something that can potentially cause both adverse health and mental problems? The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has concluded that marijuana usage can contribute to difficulty thinking clearly, anxiety attacks, feelings of paranoia, and dangerous impairment of driving skills. This last warning about driving is especially alarming. Our roadways are already becoming a battle zone, with alcohol abuse being the No. 1 reason for driving-related accidents and deaths. Just imagine adding marijuana to the lethal mix. Also, how would the police monitor the situation? We have DWI tests, so would DWS (driving while stoned) testing need to be implemented?

In conclusion, having witnessed the drug culture of the early 1970s, I would not legalize marijuana for general use. Why would we want to further burden a society that already is stockpiled with enough woes and worries?
Jeff Egan, Maine

Debated
The question posed has been debated for longer than some of us have been alive. Politicians, educators, even some doctors have seen the potential good that can come with its use, although they would most likely be too afraid to comment.

With the large amount of man-made pharmaceuticals on the market, some of which can be harmful -- if not fatal -- we see that the "bad" side effects are sometimes disregarded because of the overwhelming good the drug can do. With this is mind, think of how many alcohol-related deaths there are, yet somehow alcohol remains available to anyone over the age of 21.

One can only imagine how much revenue, and taxes, can be made off the growing, packaging, and selling of this product.

Consuming marijuana can be more therapeutic than any liver-killing pill. The worthless stalks can be made into clothing, paper, and fuel. A chunk of barren land, incapable of farming, can sustain the plant and be revitalized for food crops the following year.

From what I hear, marijuana is as easy to grow as a houseplant. In the end, this fact is why I believe it will never be legal. If the everyday Joe could supply himself with it, the government could not tax it. Instead, that everyday Joe has to pay taxes on the alcohol, or overpriced pharmacy bills.
Judath Carley, Binghamton

Nixon
Should marijuana be legalized? Yes. This view is not just shared by stoners. In 1972, President Nixon's National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse recommended decriminalization. In The Netherlands, use of hard drugs has gone down since marijuana was legalized. What is now a major criminal justice problem could easily become a minor medical issue.

According to Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2006, 12.7 percent of state inmates (over 33,000) and 12.4 percent of federal inmates (over 10,000) are imprisoned for marijuana offenses. According to the FBI, 44 percent of all illicit drug arrests are for marijuana. It costs more than $1 billion annually to imprison marijuana offenders. Some economists estimate the cost to be as high as $7 billion annually, taking into account all expenses. Since 1990, there have been over 10 million arrests for marijuana offenses.

The benefits of medicinal use of marijuana are well documented. It has uses in pain relief, especially neuropathic pain (resulting from nerve damage). It is effective in treating nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, movement disorders and insomnia. Its use as an appetite stimulant helps treatment of AIDS, cancer and dementia. Research suggests it may inhibit the growth of cancer cells (shown to be true in animal studies), aids in the reduction of arterial blockage and may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Anecdotal evidence indicates that it is as effective as many pharmaceutical tranquilizers without being addictive.

The industrial uses of hemp (treated as marijuana by the Drug Enforcement Agency) are many. It can be used for cordage, clothing, food, mulch, animal bedding and litter, paints, creams and plastics. It has one of the most popular seeds for feeding birds. It is used in composites, and to strengthen cement. Hemp produces 250 percent more fiber than cotton and 600 percent more fiber than flax when grown on the same land. One acre of hemp, grown with an annual rotation, produces as much pulp as 4.1 acres of trees in a 20-year period.

The processing of hemp pulp is much less polluting than the processing of wood pulp. Because hydrogen peroxide rather than chlorine bleach is used to whiten the paper, no dioxins are produced. The breakdown of lignin (which binds fibers) can be done with 1/4 to 1/7 as much sulfur based acid chemicals or with soda ash. Hemp pulp paper could replace 70 percent of wood pulp paper. Popular Mechanics has claimed that there are more than 25,000 environmentally friendly products from hemp.

What is marijuana prohibition really about? Why does the government put a beneficial substance that millions of people use regularly with minimal harmful side effects into the same class as cocaine and heroin? Could it be about the government trying to control our lives, and the protection of the profits of cotton, paper and pharmaceutical industries? The Declaration of Independence was drafted on hemp paper. It is high time we had a declaration of independence from government intrusion into our private lives, especially when what is done is harmful to no one.
Matthew Roman, Binghamton

Regulated
Legalize, regulate and tax it like liquor. Additionally, I think some accommodation would have to be reached with the federal Department of Justice. I would like to know what the current positions of our state and federal legislative employees (assemblymen/women, senators, representatives) are. How about getting up-to-date statements and a summary of their planned or extant legislation, and when they expect their bill(s) to see the light of day and be subject to a vote?
Ernest Patterson, Chenango Forks