cannabisnews.com: Smoking Pot Akin To Drinking During Prohibition





Smoking Pot Akin To Drinking During Prohibition
Posted by CN Staff on June 28, 2007 at 07:51:57 PT
By Nick Juliano 
Source: Raw Story
Washington, DC -- In his dissent on a recent free-speech case, Justice John Paul Stevens wades into the war-on-drugs debate, comparing modern-day pot smokers with "otherwise law-abiding patrons of bootleggers and speakeasies," during the prohibition era.Stevens, who the Washington Post notes turned 87 on April 20, said the current climate surrounding the war on drugs "is reminiscent of the opinion that supported the nationwide ban on alcohol consumption when I was a student."
The Supreme Court this week ruled against an Alaska student who displayed a "BONG HiTS 4 JESUS" sign at an event outside his high school, and Stevens wrote the dissent for the four justices who believed the student's free-speech rights should be protected."Today the actions of literally millions of otherwise law-abiding users of marijuana, and of the majority of voters in each of the several States that tolerate medicinal uses of the product, lead me to wonder whether the fear of disapproval by those in the majority in silencing opponents of the war on drugs," Stevens wrote.Most debate over the efficacy of the war on drugs focuses on government crackdowns on users of medical marijuana, for whom the drug eases chronic pain. But in comparing pot smoking to social drinking, Stevens suggests that the drug could be legalized in all cases.In his opinion, Stevens insists "no one seriously maintains that drug advocacy ... can be prohibited because of its feared consequences." Later, Stevens observes the shift in Americans' views on alcohol since the 1920s and 30s."While alcoholic beverages are now regarded as ordinary articles of commerce, their use was then condemned with the same moral fervor that now supports the war on drugs," Stevens writes.In a 2005 case, Stevens wrote for the court's 6-3 majority that upheld the federal government's right to prosecute medical marijuana patients in states that have legalized medical use of the drug. But his opinion was based strictly on Congress's ability to regulate interstate commerce, and that opinion included mention that credible research showing marijuana could be medically effective would "cast serious doubt" on the government's classification of the drug as a Schedule I narcotic. And he all but encouraged the advocates to take their argument directly to Congress.Complete Title: Stevens: Smoking Pot Akin To Drinking During ProhibitionSource: Raw Story (DC)Author: Nick Juliano Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2007Copyright: 2007 Raw StoryContact: editor rawstory.com Website: http://www.rawstory.com/Related Articles:‘Bong Hits’ Sign Ruling Chimes a Silly Tonehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23130.shtmlJustice Stevens Calls On History He Livedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23128.shtml
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 29, 2007 at 07:49:43 PT
Court Allows Student's Anti-Bush T-Shirt
The Associated PressJune 29, 2007Washington, DC -- Putting its recent ruling on student speech into practice, the Supreme Court on Friday rejected a school district's appeal of a ruling that it violated a student's rights by censoring his anti-Bush T-shirt. 
A seventh-grader from Vermont was suspended for wearing a shirt that bore images of cocaine and a martini glass—but also had messages calling President Bush a lying drunk driver who abused cocaine and marijuana, and the "chicken-hawk-in-chief" who was engaged in a "world domination tour." After his suspension, Zachary Guiles returned to school with duct tape covering the offending images. Williamstown Middle School Principal Kathleen Morris-Kortz said the images violated the school dress code, which prohibits clothing that promotes the use of drugs or alcohol. An appeals court said the school had no right to censor any part of the shirt. On Monday, the court said schools could regulate student expression if it advocated illegal drug use. Justice Samuel Alito cautioned that schools could not censor political speech. The case is Marineau v. Guiles, 06-757.Copyright: 2007 Associated Presshttp://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_6261097
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 28, 2007 at 10:47:14 PT
potpal
At least the governor of Colorado is a Democrat now. Maybe it won't be so hard for them to change the laws on marijuana.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 28, 2007 at 10:43:05 PT
potpal and whig
Thank you. Sometimes they send out little articles and they don't make sense. 
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Comment #7 posted by potpal on June 28, 2007 at 10:38:53 PT
44 CO state legalization
Believe it got 41% of the vote, more than the newly elected governor received.
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Comment #6 posted by whig on June 28, 2007 at 09:58:50 PT
FoM
I think 44 did not get enough votes to pass.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 28, 2007 at 09:34:28 PT
About Comment 2
Nothing in Colorado passed last year. Am I missing something?Excerpt: The group successfully passed a measure last year that made possession of less than an ounce of marijuana by adults in Denver legal. Police have said they continue to prosecute those cases in the city under state law. 
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 28, 2007 at 09:31:10 PT
Pot Petitions Seek Reduced Enforcement
By Simona Gallegos, Denver Post Staff WriterJune 28, 2007Colorado -- A pro-marijuana group Wed nesday turned in well over the number of signatures needed for a ballot issue that would make marijuana possession Denver's "lowest law-enforcement priority." "People here are sick and tired of their city police and prosecutors punishing adults for using a drug less harmful than alcohol," said Mason Tvert, spokesperson for SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation) Denver. The initiative, which will be on the ballot in November if enough of the more than 10,000 signatures are verified, applies to adults over age 21 and possession of 1 ounce of marijuana or less. Complete Article: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6245972
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Comment #3 posted by ekim on June 28, 2007 at 09:30:05 PT
Jun 30 07 Dan Klein's South Jersey Insider Radio 
Jun 30 07 Dan Klein's South Jersey Insider Radio 01:30 PM Jack Cole Ocean City NJ USA 
 Retired NJ state trooper Jack Cole & retired NJ Superior Court Judge Martin Haines will talk with Dan Klein and his audience for 2 1/2 hours at the Christian LifeRadio Station WIBG 1020AM. Listen live at http://www.wibg.com/listen5.html. Call in number is 609-398-1020. 
http://leap.cc/Events/
http://blog.leap.cc/
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 28, 2007 at 08:59:23 PT
Marijuana Group Pushes Another Measure In Denver
June 28, 2007(CBS4) DENVER -- Citizens for a Safer Denver have collected enough signatures on a petition to get another marijuana initiative on the city's November ballot.The group said it collected more than 10,000 signatures and turned them into city election officials on Wednesday.Their measure would make marijuana possession by adults the city's lowest law enforcement priority.The group successfully passed a measure last year that made possession of less than an ounce of marijuana by adults in Denver legal. Police have said they continue to prosecute those cases in the city under state law. Copyright: MMVII CBS Television Stations, Inc.http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_179103736.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 28, 2007 at 07:52:37 PT
Amazing
Could this be what we need? 
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