cannabisnews.com: Stop Fighting The War on Marijuana Stop Fighting The War on Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on September 30, 2004 at 07:05:18 PT Column: Political Face-Off: Democrats Source: Bentley Vanguard People convicted of a marijuana felony, even if they are disabled, can be prohibited from receiving federal welfare payments or food stamps. However, convicted murderers and rapists are still eligible for those benefits. This is just one of many disparities in our judicial system with regard to marijuana.This year the White House will spend $170 million working toward a drug-free America. While this idea may seem appealing, anyone who seriously believes this is possible should remember the millions of people who are prescribed pills every day to cure their shyness, erectile dysfunction, anxiety and sleep deprivation. Problems get even worse when looking at non-prescription drugs. Sixteen thousand Americans die every year after taking drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Why has no one called for an all out war on Advil?Undoubtedly, some recreational drugs are thought to be fine. It isn't surprising that the Partnership for a Drug-Free America originally received much of its financing from cigarette, alcohol, and pharmaceutical companies. All of the drugs made by these companies can clearly kill you, and it is stated right on the cigarette pack, beer can, or pill canister. Alcohol has been directly linked to about one-quarter of suicides in the United States, almost half the violent crime, and two-thirds of domestic abuse.Not that these statistics should downplay the effects of marijuana use. It is a mind altering drug that shouldn't be used by children, pregnant women, and people with heart conditions. But unlike alcohol, marijuana is remarkably nontoxic. In more than 5,000 years of recorded use, there is no verified case of anybody dying of an overdose; furthermore, no fatal dose has even been established.Over the past two decades, billions of dollars have been spent fighting the war on marijuana, millions of Americans have been arrested and tens of thousands have been imprisoned. This disparity can be seen in Bentley College policies. Underage alcohol possession is subject to a maximum fine of $50 and driving with an open container fines cannot exceed $200. While marijuana possession is subject to fines exceeding $2,000. Our student handbook also points out that almost 50% of injuries involve alcohol. At the same time the only crime that is linked to marijuana is the actual act of to smoking it or making some brownies with it (with the exception of the occasional theft of a pint of Ben and Jerry's or Doritos from Harry's Corner).While countries like Canada, Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium are pushing to decriminalize marijuana, the Bush Administration continues to push for stricter policies. In an effort to not alienate all conservatives, it must be pointed out that during the Clinton years the toughest drug war legislation was passed and backed by liberals, and the number of marijuana arrests more than doubled. Some of the strongest supporters of decriminalization are conservatives such as: William F. Buckley, Milton Friedman and Gary Johnson.I am not trying to point out all the flaws of alcohol (I enjoy a drink just like the rest), but it should be apparent that there needs to be major reform of marijuana laws in our country. Some progress has been seen since the establishment of pro-decriminalization groups such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Jimmy Carter also brought decimalization mainstream in 1977 when he delivered a speech to Congress. In his speech he said, "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this clearer to me than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use. Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana."Since then, 11 states have decriminalized the use of marijuana. In New York, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is subject to fine of $100 in the form of a citation; similar to a parking ticket. In Massachusetts, similar legislation that would enact similar laws currently sits in a Senate committee. Unless this issue is once again brought into the public eye no progress will ever be made.To learn more about this issue join the Bentley College Democrats on October 6 7:30 p.m. in the Back Bay when Keith Stroup, the founder of NORML, will speak on the issue.Source: Bentley Vanguard (MA) Published: Thursday, September 30, 2004 Copyright: 2004 USA Vanguard Contact: Vanguard bentley.eduWebsite: http://www.bentleyvanguard.com/Related Articles & Web Site:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/No Surrender The Drug War Saves Liveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19490.shtmlIt's Time To Rethink and Reform Drug Laws http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19445.shtmlHigh Time To Eliminate Drug Laws?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19118.shtmlAn End To Marijuana Prohibition http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19112.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Truth on October 01, 2004 at 03:23:22 PT a plant? to declare a plant illegal is idiotic at best....sheese [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dr slider on September 30, 2004 at 09:00:24 PT: Nanny carries a big stick While I'm reassured that yesterday a federal judge put personal security on par with national security whle ruling that part of the "Patriot Act" is unconstitutional (Expect another expensive fight by Ashcroft), your point, Patrick, is dead center. With the CSA in '70, Americans gave up the right not to have their door kicked in and their dog shot, or worse, as long as the offender is "doing it for your own good" or "honestly mistaken" (and wearing a govmint badge). Now, that new "right" of the cops in ingrained by decades of aquiescence. With the "Patriot Act" of '02 the erosion continued, and bit by bit, despite the courts, further erosion is surreptitiously added to various widely supported spending bills. (Now, they can kick the door in while you're out, kill the dog, wire your house, steal your computer and anything else, as long as it ads to the "illusion" that you were robbed, as long as the "message to the kids" is "on message".)Anyone that believes that peaceful demonstration (itself already restricted) or legislation will simply reboot the constitution haven't been paying attention. When most of our pols are ex-DAs, and the first group reporters talk to when a medcan bill or initiative is proposed is the cops, spinsanity is abound. Zum Beispiel: Pure 100% (albeit synthetic) THC is a schedule three drug, yet we are warned that the astounding increases in THC levels, "In the low double digits, at least!!!" are making "marijuana" on par with crack in addictiveness and danger. How can citizens be so blind? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by siege on September 30, 2004 at 08:52:49 PT FoM Ohio rejects 1000s of voter registration applications due to paper weight. and a lot morehttp://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 30, 2004 at 07:41:04 PT Patrick I am going to register today since Rock The Vote that I sent in I think in July hasn't shown up yet. I got an email from the Kerry Campaign last night and in Ohio someone named Blackwell ( I'm bad at remembering names but I think that's the right name) is trying to make it that votes won't count if you don't vote where you are supposed to vote. I hope and pray for a good debate tonight. I saw young people cheering for Bush and thought ok your generation will be the one to go and die in Iraq so if you vote for Bush and get drafted you have no one to blame but yourself. Bush being president for 4 more years really won't hurt me personally so I can live with it even though it will make me very sad for a day or two. I only have voted 2 time in my life and I'm giving it my all this year. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Patrick on September 30, 2004 at 07:33:53 PT Prime Example Of how once something is made a law (the prohibition of cannabis) it's practically impossible to reverse it! So anyone who partakes of cannabis and is thinking of not voting... My Dad use to wear a hat that said, "If you don't vote don't bitch!" If you want laws that make sense you have to participate. Just my humble opinion. I didn't know if I got busted for"pot" I would loose my welfare while murders and rapists are still eligible. I knew my chance at college was out the window if busted but welfare too? Ooooh talk about demonizing a plant beyond all reason. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment