cannabisnews.com: Lighting Up The Debate Over Med. Use of Marijuana





Lighting Up The Debate Over Med. Use of Marijuana
Posted by FoM on September 28, 1999 at 09:27:00 PT
By Thomas J. Mooney 
Source: Journal Online 
At first glance it appears ironic that democracy is being wantonly disregarded in the nation's capital, but that is undoubtedly the situation now that the results of a local initiative supporting the use of marijuana for medical purposes has been made public. 
By an overwhelming margin of 69 percent to 31 percent, Washington, D.C., voters chose to embrace this local initiative. Unfortunately, that hard-earned success is flickering away as Congress threatens to nullify the vote of local residents by prohibiting the measure from becoming law. Thus once again our elected champions of democracy choose political expediency over democratic principles. Members of Congress see an opportunity to score points in their home district while they run roughshod over the will of local residents. No one should be surprised. Re-election normally transcends principles, anyway, but in reality, the interesting message emerging from this lopsided vote is the apparent change of attitude many people are having about marijuana. Initiatives are popping up all over on the subject. Bolstered by the claims of thousands of seriously ill patients, six states have passed referendums allowing this controlled dangerous substance to be used for medical purposes, and other government bodies at a local level have decriminalized its use. While law enforcement personnel, judges, prosecuting attorneys and drug czars vehemently oppose any loosening of restrictions, the average citizen sees the problem differently. Many are beginning to question the preaching of experts in the scientific and legal communities who continue to deny that sick people don't need marijuana to alleviate pain and improve their appetite. Others are tired of Draconian sentences being passed out to young people for possession of a small amount. This change in attitude is a new phenomena that has potentially profound significance for the ``war on drugs." There is a softening of our attitudes that is reflected in referendums all over the country. People are willing to tolerate marijuana for medical use and don't want their sons and daughters severely penalized for experimenting with it. This runs counter to the zero-tolerance policy that has prevailed for the past two decades and, as we all know, has done little to stem serious drug use in America. Perhaps it is time to jump into this controversial maelstrom and re-evaluate drug use in America. Previously any elected official who advocated this would be routinely criticized, marginalized and have their sanity questioned. Not too long ago Kurt Schmoke, mayor of Baltimore, became the object of scorn when he suggested legalizing certain drugs. He concluded that pot is different from cocaine and heroin and should be treated differently. As thanks for his willingness to analyze and contemplate out loud, his bright political career was clouded and his competence was called into question. In retrospect his position may soon be the mainstream one. Six states have passed measures legalizing marijuana for medical purposes and while this may not be a revolution it shows a social evolution on this matter. We are scrutinizing our attitudes about drugs. People are sympathetic to the plight of a terminally ill individual and they believe that any substance that relieves pain should be readily available to them. Others believe that marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol and causes far less harm than cocaine or heroin. Undoubtedly, a referendum on these latter drugs would fail easily. Voters are not detached torsos, too ignorant to make a rational choice. There is a pragmatic realization that different drugs impact differently and there is no one-size-fits-all law when it comes to drug legislation. Once again there appears to be a widening chasm between ordinary citizens and their elected representatives. The extraordinary limitations placed on the use of marijuana does not seem to be shared by those outside the Beltway. In fact, it can be persuasively argued that this issue should be decided locally, not nationally. Each state should be able to decide what drug policies it should have. Alcohol is largely regulated at a state level and anarchy has not prevailed. Perhaps marijuana should be treated similarly. National politicians are too fearful to look at the issue objectively and are largely precluded from doing anything since they see potential political fallout. Also, getting the federal government out of marijuana regulation would give us another opportunity to practice unconditional democracy through local government and the referendum process. The debates might be awkward and the laws clumsy, but local control is a positive step forward, reflecting the will of the people in a way Congress never will. It's an idea whose time is way overdue. Thomas J. Mooney of Takoma Park is a former state delegate.His column appears on alternate Tuesdays. Pubdate: September 28, 1999Related Articles:Medical Marijuana Debate Won't Blow Over-9/28/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3050.shtmlIn Washington, The Majority May Not Always Rule-9/27/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3039.shtmlSome Doctors and Patients Swear by Marijuana-9/27/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3038.shtmlMJ Users Watch Hope for D.C. Bill to Legalize Use-9/27/99 http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3037.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 28, 1999 at 10:44:22 PT
Thanks Ally!
Thanks Ally,I started thinking about doing it this way for those who miss the news or don't read it daily. I don't have a search tool so I figured this might work and I'm glad it is helping you!Peace, FoM!
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Comment #1 posted by Ally on September 28, 1999 at 10:15:12 PT
Oh by the way...
FoM,I meant to express this earlier and the window of opportunity kept escaping my aging, feeble brain. I like the way you are putting the links to the related articles at the end of the current news items. I find that extremely helpful because of my failing memory if I want to check back on something I don't have to look through the archives for it!Thank you for a job well done...Shalom, Ally 
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