The latest post on HighTimes.com's "SAFER Central" section discusses SAFER's open letter to Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske regarding his ludicrous "non-starter" statement. CLICK HERE to check it out!

A great piece about SAFER and Executive Director Mason Tvert also appeared in the December 2009 issue of High Times magazine. The 4-page article includes a lengthy interview, an excerpt from Mason's book, Marijuana Is Safer: So why are we driving people to drink?, and a few great photos. Here's the quick summary from the High Times site (as well as the cover -- which includes "Pot vs. Booze" -- should you be looking for it on the stands):

SAFETY MEETING

In his new book, Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?, SAFER co-founder Mason Tvert argues that pot should be legal because it’s better for you than booze. Check out our exclusive interview with this highly successful activist, who’s already helped decriminalize herb in Denver—plus an exclusive excerpt from Marijuana Is Safer.

Members of a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs group known as Students for Sensible Drug Policy, along with the Denver-based group Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), held a news conference Tuesday to protest their exclusion from a school health fair. They wanted to present information showing marijuana is safer than alcohol — because it lacks alcohol's association with overdose deaths, violent crime and heavy addiction — but they were turned down. The students claim it's irresponsible for schools like UCCS to promote "responsible drinking," even to underage students, while ignoring a healthier alternative.

"This event was just one in a string of events ... across the country," says Mason Tvert, SAFER executive director.

A new Gallup Poll says 44 percent of Americans — a record high (no pun intended) — want to legalize pot. Also, the Obama administration recently announced it would not seek to arrest users and suppliers of medical marijuana as long as they comply with state laws.

In response, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers says he thinks Colorado lawmakers ought to regulate pot dispensaries, prompting outrage from marijuana patients and supporters. Tvert says Suthers should focus on more pressing problems, such as deaths from recreational prescription drug abuse.

Marijuana Is Safer coauthor and NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano was featured on the Fox News Channel's "Freedom Watch" with Judge Andrew Napolitano. Paul discussed some of the science surrounding marijuana, the current administration's approach to the substance, and of course the fact that marijuana is far safer than alcohol for the user and for society.