[IndianaToker]

<!--StartFragment -->By John McCaslin
Source: Washington Times

<!--StartFragment --> Congratulated yesterday on his ascension to executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) -- replacing longtime NORML director and founder Keith Stroup -- Allen St. Pierre joked: "Now if you could tell my mother that it's a good thing."
Then again, if the 39-year-old Mr. St. Pierre has his way, his mother -- and others in this country, particularly women concerned about the legal consequences of smoking marijuana -- might just climb on board.

"On April 15, Tax Day, we're going to be the only people in this country to draw a big target on our head and tell the federal government ... that those of us who consume cannabis would like to pay taxes," explains Mr. St. Pierre, who has been NORML's deputy director since 1993.

"We're going to start talking in serious economic terms about the cost of prohibition and alternative policies, most notably taxing and regulating [marijuana]."

Another major thrust in the coming months for NORML, headquartered just a few blocks from the White House on K Street, will be to educate the public about "known science" surrounding "the relative harmlessness of marijuana when juxtaposed to other drugs" -- including alcohol and caffeine, which some studies show have more adverse effects on the body.

"Marijuana fits into taxation scheme already in place for alcohol and tobacco," says Mr. St. Pierre.

Finally, he says, with NORML's support, look for numerous "reefer resolutions" -- decriminalization bills -- to be introduced in various state legislatures in the coming year or so, from Washington state to Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts.

Newshawk: Nicholas Thimmesch II
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Author: John McCaslin
Published: January 12, 2005
Copyright: 2005 News World Communications, Inc.
Website: http://www.washtimes.com/
Contact: letters@washingtontimes.com