Source: The Irish Times
Copyright: 2000 The Irish Times
Pubdate: July 15, 2000
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Author: Judy Murphy
The Irish Times
Saturday, July 15, 2000
Legalise Pot, Says Harrelson
By Judy Murphy
American actor Woody Harrelson yesterday brought his campaign to legalise cannabis to Ireland. The Texan actor, known for his controversial role in Natural Born Killers, was speaking at the Galway Film Fleadh.
Mr Harrelson has narrated Grass, a documentary chronicling 50 years of US government anti-cannabis policy, which is being shown at the fleadh.
The actor didn't choose to be a campaigner for legalising cannabis, he said. "It chose me because my friends went to jail over it. That's when I started speaking about it."
The US spends $101 billion annually fighting illegal drugs, Mr Harrelson claimed. The cannabis eradication programme, which involves destroying hemp, costs half-a-million dollars a year. Hemp can also be used to make clothes and paper.
"I'm not saying cannabis is harmless. Anything that's abused can be harmful. Drugs are usually taken to relieve pain, especially emotional pain. But everyone should have the right to use whatever drug they choose," Mr Harrelson said.
Eight US states have already legalised medical marijuana, he explained. His campaign to legalise the drug for general use will continue.
ENDS