cannabisnews.com: Examine The Real Prop 2 Issues Examine The Real Prop 2 Issues Posted by CN Staff on October 21, 2004 at 10:14:53 PT By Sara Chambers Source: Juneau Empire Government agencies have spoken their opinions on the ballot initiative crafted to regulate marijuana usage in Alaska. While they are certainly entitled to their beliefs, they have been silent on the facts: People who want to smoke marijuana will do so whether illegal or not; the drug war is not stopping people from using drugs; and only those with medical degrees should decide if marijuana is an appropriate treatment for their patients. I am a responsible wife and mother. I have no desire to smoke marijuana and think that doing so recreationally is a ridiculous, irresponsible choice. Nevertheless, it should be my choice. I am tired of the government continuing to make the choice for me, taking police away from real crime fighting and spending millions of dollars of our taxes to fight a miserably failing drug war. That money could be better used to, say, create jobs or fund education, or to make America's big cities safer.History has proven that legalizing a substance eliminates the criminal element and helps control its use. Does America suffer from Al Capone-style gangsters brandishing Gatling guns in secret speakeasies? No, those days of alcohol prohibition are gone. Alcohol use and abuse is better controlled because of legalization. Our cities still suffer from violence and poverty, largely due to drug lords' turf wars, smuggling and dealing operations. These could be eliminated in a matter of hours if voters would approve the same regulations put in place to monitor alcohol.Also tiring is the sickening double standard behind regulation of things Americans choose to smoke: Tobacco cigarettes are far more lethal than marijuana; however, they remain legal because the government makes a great deal of money on the taxes they generate, and Democrats and Republicans get huge campaign donations from tobacco companies. This proposition calls their bluff, suggesting that as long as people choose to smoke pot (and they will), we should make it legal and expensive and possibly make up some of the huge federal budget deficit at the same time.Lastly, I am shocked that bureaucrats in Washington feel they are better prepared to make medical decisions on behalf of people who actually hold medical degrees. Why do they continue to keep necessary pain relief from cancer patients and those with other specific ailments? When I had surgery last year, I received both morphine and oxycod for my few, brief days of pain. Why should these controlled substances be allowed in by body and my home, yet doctor-monitored usage of marijuana is not an option to help make a cancer patient's last days more comfortable?Opponents of this measure are desperately hoping that the infusion of "Outside money" into this proposition will turn voters off. Are they kidding? Take a look at the campaign ads for Alaska's leading Senate candidates - most are funded by Washington D.C.'s national Democrat and Republican party committees. Not Alaskans. And, what percentage of industry and programs in Alaska are funded with federal dollars? Honestly, how can government officials keep straight faces when they play the "Outside money" card on this issue?These are the real issues that Proposition 2 proposes to address. Sometimes the best decision is a hard one. Even if you do not approve of marijuana use, I urge you to learn more about this ballot measure. Sara Chambers is vice chairperson of the Alaska Libertarian Party. Source: Juneau Empire (AK)Author: Sara ChambersPublished: October 21, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Southeastern Newspaper Corp.Website: http://www.juneauempire.com/Contact: letterstotheeditor juneauempire.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Yes on 2 Alaskahttp://www.yeson2alaska.com/Transcript: The Abrams Report: Alaska Initiative http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19680.shtmlBackers Sue Over Opposition Accounthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19667.shtmlAnti-Pot Passage in Voter Guide Draws Firehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19658.shtmlAnti-Pot Fight Comes To Fairbankshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19647.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by Libertynymph on October 21, 2004 at 16:16:24 PT: Stepping stone? What gets me besides the distortions and fabrication by a Medical Doctor (on the Governments payroll, gee no problem....No Job) is the SO called stepping stone to harder drugs. Most teenagers I'd venture to guess have necked or gone parking before having sex, the "stepping stone" reasoning would then dictate that they illegalize necking. Those same teenagers that smoke pot probably have had beer OR smoked cigarettes before trying pot... But I doupt the hypocrites that "serve" US would illegalize THEIR DRUGS of CHOICE. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 21, 2004 at 13:45:30 PT afterburner I love the Moody Blues. I think I have most of their music. When this election is over I'm going to enjoy some of the music I really love. I'm funny. During tense times I avoid my favorite music so if I am left with a bad memory the music won't become something that reminds me of the bad time. I'm weird I know! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Shishaldin on October 21, 2004 at 13:30:54 PT thanx afterburner I was just a baby when the Moody's released A Question of Balance, but I wore that album out as a teenager. Incredible music and harmonies with lyrics that touch your soul. Small wonder that my own teenage son "discovered" them (actually I put on Days of Future Passed, saying "I think you'll like this" :) and they are now playing in heavy rotation on his computer.Great music is indeed timeless...Peace and Strength,Shishaldin [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by afterburner on October 21, 2004 at 12:47:15 PT Question (A Question Of Balance) ' I am shocked that bureaucrats in Washington feel they are better prepared to make medical decisions on behalf of people who actually hold medical degrees. Why do they continue to keep necessary pain relief from cancer patients and those with other specific ailments? ' Why, indeed?' Honestly, how can government officials keep straight faces when they play the "Outside money" card on this issue? 'How, indeed?"Why do we never get an answer When we're knocking at the door With a thousand million questions About hate and death and war? 'Cos when we stop and look around us, There is nothing that we need, In a world of persecution that is burning in its greed. Why do we never get an answer When we're knocking at the door Because the truth is hard to swallow That's what the war of love is for. "It's not the way that you say it When you do those things to me It's more the way that you mean it When you tell me what will be. "And when you stop and think about it You won't believe it's true That all the love you've been giving Has all been meant for you. "I'm looking for someone to change my life, I'm looking for a miracle in my life, And if you could see what it's done to me, To lose the love I knew Could safely lead me through. "Between the silence of the mountains, And the crashing of the sea, There lies a land I once lived in, And she's waiting there for me, But in the grey of the morning, My mind becomes confused, Between the dead and the sleeping, And the road that I must chose. "I'm looking for someone to change my life, I'm looking for a miracle in my life, And if you could see what it's done to me, To lose the love I knew Could safely lead me to, The land that I once knew, To learn as we grow old, The secrets of our soul. "It's not the way that you say it When you do those things to me, It's more the way you really mean it When you tell me what will be. "Why do we never get an answer When we're knocking at the door With a thousand million questions About hate and death and war? 'Cos when we stop and look around us, There is nothing that we need, In a world of persecution that is burning in its greed. "Why do we never get an answer When we're knocking at the door Because the truth is hard to swallow That's what the war of love is for."-- Question, The Moody Blues Question (A Question Of Balance) [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 21, 2004 at 12:26:53 PT Upcoming Event in Missouri Marijuana Proponents Schedule Public Events Thursday, October 21, 2004Four proponents of legalizing marijuana are scheduled to speak at public events tomorrow and Saturday to build support for two proposed marijuana ordinances in Columbia on the Nov. 2 ballot.The speakers include: Irvin Rosenfeld, one of eight medical marijuana patients who legally receive marijuana from the federal government; Howard Wooldridge, a former Texas police officer who founded Law Enforcement Against Prohibition; R. Keith Stroup, founder and executive director of the National Organization of Marijuana Laws, or NORML; and Fred Raines, an economics professor at Washington University in St. Louis.The first event is from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and is sponsored in part by MU NORML. The second event, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Roger B. Wilson Boone County Government Center, is sponsored, in part, by the Missouri Cannabis Coalition.Proposition 1 would allow medical patients who use marijuana based on a physician’s recommendation to avoid arrest. If prosecuted, their fine would be limited to $50. Proposition 2 would make all adult marijuana arrests involving less than 1¼ ounce quantities municipal infractions, rather than misdemeanors, and limit the fine to $250. http://www.columbiatribune.com/2004/Oct/20041021News002.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 21, 2004 at 10:56:28 PT Political Article from The Columbian.com Opinion - War on Pot Burns Time, Tax Dollars: http://www.columbian.com/10212004/clark_co/202317.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment