cannabisnews.com: Amend. 44 Step Toward Clear-Headed Drug Policy 





Amend. 44 Step Toward Clear-Headed Drug Policy 
Posted by CN Staff on November 03, 2006 at 14:05:33 PT
Editorial: Our View 
Source: Gazette
Colorado -- The long journey toward a more rational and workable national drug control policy begins with a single step. That’s why we’re backing Amendment 44 in next week’s election. The text of Amendment 44 is simple. It reads: “Any person under twenty-one years of age who possesses not more than one ounce of marijuana commits a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.” Not very complicated, but this change could make a big difference in how the judicial system deals with drug offenders, as well as send a strong message to Washington that Coloradans are ready for a more realistic and rational national drug policy.
In essence, it would legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults. It would still be illegal for minors to possess it and possession of more than one ounce by anyone would remain illegal and subject to current laws. This vote could have national implications, which explains why the nation’s drug czar came to Colorado to campaign against the measure. Because approval of Amendment 44 would make Colorado the first state to legalize marijuana, putting state law at odds with federal law, the drug warriors evidently see this as a major chink in the armor of the drug war. They worry that passage would be the beginning of a flood of legalization around the country. We have long been on record as questioning the reasons behind, and conduct of, the so-called war on drugs — an effort that’s responsible for thousands of deaths, prison overcrowding and untold misery for a lot of people in a number of countries. A blanket prohibition on the use of certain drugs clearly isn’t working. But some politicians, law enforcement officials and professional drug warriors refuse to consider options that move us in the direction of drug legalizations. Passage of Amendment 44 at least sets the stage for a national debate on the issue, and possibly sets us on the road to a partial solution. Proponents of the amendment say marijuana use is safer than alcohol, which is legal for those over 21. They point to links between drinking and domestic violence and argue that marijuana use does not lead to violent outbursts. Opponents of the amendment point to the dangers of prolonged use of marijuana as a reason to derail the proposal. They also point out that many drug users commit other crimes to support their habits. We won’t attempt to settle either argument today, because both are beside the point. As libertarians, we simply don’t believe the government should tell adults what they can or can’t ingest, except when their irresponsible use of such substances brings them into conflict with the rights of others. The use of illegal drugs can sometimes do that, to be sure. But so can the reckless or irresponsible use of many legal drugs, as well as other legal products. Government attempts to meddle in these choices by barring the use of certain substances, while sanctioning or regulating the use of others, to us seems arbitrary, irrational and an encroachment on individual liberty. Banning substances or products on the grounds that they might be dangerous in the hands of some people shouldn’t fly in a truly free society. Government is in the business of protecting us from others, not ourselves. It’s true that marijuana use is not risk free. But very little in life is, and free people should be able to make their own choices. The drug war has been going on for decades and drugs are still readily available across the country, proof that current policy isn’t working. This is a good first step toward forcing government to abandon an approach that just doesn’t work. We encourage freedom lovers to vote yes on Amendment 44. Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/y5ktpx Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)Published: November 03, 2006Copyright: 2006 The GazetteContact: gtop gazette.comWebsite: http://www.gazette.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/Safer Coloradohttp://www.safercolorado.org/ Big Moment for Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22348.shtml So Why is Pot Really Illegal?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22323.shtmlSafety at Heart of Pot Debatehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22317.shtml
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Comment #11 posted by whig on November 03, 2006 at 17:48:58 PT
gw 
Your invitation is always good, you are welcome. Confess what you must to be free of your sin, and do not continue to suffer.
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Comment #10 posted by global_warming on November 03, 2006 at 17:35:27 PT
is it time for me to say good-night ?
in the morrow might be a sweet yes,...
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Comment #9 posted by global_warming on November 03, 2006 at 17:30:52 PT
I Am A Sinner
Something holds me back from making a true commitment, that leap of faith that jump into the Night Sky Hurtling Into Eternity.Darkness and LightGood and BadNight and DayMay I bring my fruit To the One who see's Everything
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Comment #8 posted by whig on November 03, 2006 at 17:24:39 PT
gw 
And don't forget Luke 10:38.
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Comment #7 posted by global_warming on November 03, 2006 at 17:14:50 PT
re: some monkeys
some monkeys may push that "yes" button and some monkeys may press that "no" button, but all monkeys press buttons.Press that YES button and vote for Freedom, a World that "will" rise to the Stars and Worlds in this reality and Eternity.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 03, 2006 at 16:57:47 PT
Dankhank
Thanks for that funny story. Some monkey's chew on but don't kill a hard shelled worm type creature and they really get wrecked. 
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Comment #5 posted by global_warming on November 03, 2006 at 16:43:46 PT
that last little f
Should have been a big "F"FREEDOMFREEDOMand that YESThat first "breath"YES
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Comment #4 posted by global_warming on November 03, 2006 at 16:39:17 PT
Pleasant Dreams
There is Hope in this DestinyThere is us peopleWhen "we hug and embraceI can know 'we can bring flowers sweet flowers
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Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on November 03, 2006 at 16:23:08 PT
Dogs get high ...
Why can't I????http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6376594
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Comment #2 posted by global_warming on November 03, 2006 at 16:21:57 PT
regarding
“Any person under twenty-one years of age who possesses not more than one ounce of marijuana commits a class 2 petty offense..A Class 2 Petty OffenseI ask "who" has been offended?If there is an offense" where is the victim?Who has been offended?What? has been taken wrongfully from any good citizen?You can stand on "your" bible and declare to the night skyHow you feel outragedIn the meantime there is a lot of blood pouring at the foot,Look around, what can you see?Can you see a YES?Can you see a better world?I can and with good conscience For I know my YES VOTEIn every filthy place of this existenceWill not except a strangerLuk 10:30 Jesus took up the question and said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.Luk 10:31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.Luk 10:32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.Luk 10:33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.Luk 10:34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.Luk 10:35 The next day he took out two denarii, dollars or Pesos, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him. When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.'It is time for FREEDOM and that YES in Colorado is a Hammer and a wake up sound:Include my YES
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 03, 2006 at 14:11:42 PT
RMN: Springs Newspaper Endorses Pot Amendment
 By Rocky Mountain News November 3, 2006The "Colorado Springs Gazette" today endorsed Amendment 44, which would legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. "We encourage freedom lovers to vote yes on Amendment 44," the newspaper said on its editorial page. "The long journey toward a more rational and workable national drug control policy begins with a single step." If the amendment passes, Colorado would become the first state to legalize marijuana. Federal law still bars possession of marijuana, and the nation's drug czar came to Colorado to campaign against the amendment. The newspaper said the federal drug warriors worry that Colorado's passage would start a flood of legalizations across the country. Amendment 44 applies only to adults and limits possession to less than an ounce of marijuana. Colorado law would still make it illegal for minors to possess any quantity of the substance. "A blanket prohibition on the use of certain drugs clearly isn't working," the editorial said. "We have long been on record as questioning the reasons behind and conduct of the so-called war on drugs, an effort that's responsible for thousands of deaths, prison overcrowding and untold misery for a lot of people in a number of countries." Copyright: 2006: The E.W. Scripps Co.http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_5115969,00.html
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