December 24, 2001

Anchorage Daily News

Jay Ambrose's editorial "NBC's liquor ads show a lack of good citizenship" ( Dec.  19 ) states that alcohol prohibition of 1919 to 1933 had taught America that this method of control of personal choice causes more problems then it solves.  This is dead wrong; for within four years after the repeal of the 18th amendment, the U.S.  government did it again.  I refer to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 that imposed prohibition of marijuana; thus creating the dawn of the drug war and all the death and suffering that accompanies it, in America and abroad.

Also prohibited by this act was the growing of hemp, a very useful and versatile plant that cannot be used as a "drug." During the drought of the '30s, this was a valuable crop because of its many uses and drought resistance, yet the U.S.  government took it away from the people.  This act by the government showed lack of good citizenship and poor leadership by the governing body of America.  I say it is far past time to correct this gross error of judgment.  Here in Alaska we have a chance to take a step of correction by supporting Hemp 2002.

Thomas Mark Higgins

Anchorage