A devoted Stash listener forwarded me a response he received after contacting his congressman, Brad Ellsworth, of Indiana’s 8th District. What impresses me most is Ellsworth’s ability to fit so much reefer madness into so few sentences.

Thank you for contacting me to share your views on marijuana. I appreciate your comments, and I welcome this opportunity to share my thoughts.

According to a 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States¹. While marijuana use is generally unhealthy² and has negative social repercussions³, it also serves as a gateway drug to more dangerous substance abuse⁴. For these reasons, I remain concerned by the prevalence of drug abuse⁵ in our culture and the harmful consequences that are the result of this behavior.

As a career law enforcement officer, I saw firsthand the devastating effects that illicit drug use can have on both individuals and communities⁶. While a member of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, I initiated the Drug Abuse Resistance Effort (DARE)⁷ program to make children aware of the dangers posed by drug use. I made fighting drugs a top priority within the department and I will continue to do so in the United States Congress. Currently, no legislation regarding the legalization of non-medicinal marijuana has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives⁸. If such legislation is introduced, I will not support it.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me. I need your input to make the best decisions possible, so please stay in touch!

Well, then, Congressman, here is some input:

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